MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Harden

AN ACT TO DEFINE THE COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS, TO INCLUDE CRISIS INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Beginning with the 2001-2002 school year, the assignment of K-12 school guidance counselors to the particular schools within the district shall be at the discretion of the local school board with the following restrictions:

(a) No individual shall be employed as a school guidance counselor without appropriate training and certification as determined by the State Department of Education; and

(b) School guidance counselors shall be professional personnel and shall spend a majority of work time in direct counseling relationships with students.

(2) School guidance counselors shall provide the following comprehensive counseling services:

(a) Academic and personal/social counseling;

(b) Student assessment and assessment counseling;

(c) Career and educational counseling;

(d) Individual and group counseling (large/small);

(e) Crisis intervention and preventive counseling;

(f) Referrals to community agencies;

(g) Educational consultations and collaboration with teachers, administrators, parents and community leaders;

(h) Educational and career placement services;

(i) Follow-up counseling services; and

(j) Conflict resolution.

(3) The State Department of Education may adopt regulations regarding the activities of the school guidance counselor as are not inconsistent with this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.