Perceived Roles

Counselor seem to have a multifaceted job, between scheduling classes, making sure student are on track to graduate, test prep, work permits, test vouchers, when do they a chance to actually guide anyone. We have over 1200 students and 3 counselors. I believe empowering the student and their parents with knowledge is the best option. I have juniors and senior who still aren't sure of the graduation requirements or what career pathways our school offers. It's not uncommon for a senior to walk in my class and ask what I teach, and their response is, " I didn't know we had that on this campus...". Likewise I get freshman and sophomores in my introductory class who did not select my class, they were just placed there, and have no idea what other programs are offered. I spend my first week talking about all the programs we offer, as well as graduation requirements and college admission requirements. It's sad when a senior comes for help with college applications and you have to explain how they don't meet some of the requirements.

With everything that is on the counselors plate and the large number of students they deal with, I'm not surprised students fall through the cracks.