K-12 School Counseling Department

Comprehensive Competency Based Guidance Program

This is a proactive, prevention program where counselors are responsible for students acquiring the guidance standards. Counselors in Tucson Unified implement the American School Counselor Association National Model for school counseling programs.

• ASCA National Model
• TUSD Policy JLD

What are the Tucson Unified School Counseling Program Standards?

• Academic Domain states that students will:
  • Acquire attitudes, knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span.
  • Complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options, including college.
  • Understand the relationship of academics to the world of work and to life at home and in the community.
• Career Domain states that students will:
  • Acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions.
  • Employ strategies to achieve future career goals with success and satisfaction.
  • Understand the relationships between personal qualities, education, training and the world of work.
• Personal/Social Domain states that students will:
  • Acquire the knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.
  • Make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve goals.
  • Understand safety and survival skills.

What are the duties and responsibilities of TUSD School Counselors?

• Counselors spend their time in these areas:
  • Guidance Curriculum – teaching the guidance curriculum/standards in classrooms or with planned small groups. Lessons are proactive, prevention based and data driven.
  • Individual Planning with Students – working with small groups or individual students concerning educational plans, appraisals, and advisement
  • Responsive Services – responding to crisis situations, individual problems, groups of students with an immediate needs, etc.
  • System Support – program planning, professional development, community relations, consultations with teachers and others concerning the program, data analysis, program evaluation and student results, etc.