Guidance and Placement Services
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I obtain the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Manual and Comprehensive Guidance Kits(1998 edition, also known as “The Box”)?
Both the current edition (2002) of the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Manual and the different levels of comprehensive guidance kits (1998 edition)(“Box”) may be purchased from:
Instructional Materials Laboratory
College of Education
1400 Rock Quarry Center, University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
Telephone: (573) 884-0073 or 800-669-2465
FAX: (573) 882-9935
How much do they cost?
For current prices, please visit the Instructional Materials Laboratory website.
Note 1: Revisions to the current edition (2002) of the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Program Manual will begin during 2006.
Note 2: The current edition (2002) of the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Program Manual is also available on the Missouri Center for Career Education (MCCE) website at:
http://missouricareereducation.org/curr/cmd/guidanceplacementG/index.html
- Why is a needs assessment necessary and what are the procedures to follow in order to obtain appropriate information?
In accordance with Missouri School Improvement Program Guidance Process Standard 6.9.2, a needs assessment that gives information on which the guidance curriculum is then revised, is to be administered every three years.
A needs survey also provides information for program planning, information that can be shared with policymakers in order to ensure program support, a defendable basis for the selection of goals and activities for the program and another means for interacting with students, staff and parents.
Because student enrollments by district vary widely in Missouri, it is recommended that the needs survey be administered to a locally determined representative sample of students in grades 3-12, faculty/staff, and parents so that reliable information on which to base revisions of the guidance curriculum can be obtained. That information can, in turn, be used to determine how to meet both the assessed needs of the students and the objectives of the comprehensive guidance program.
- Who is qualified to administer individual psychological/educational tests?
There are no specific statutes that clearly define what courses/number of courses would constitute someone being fully qualified to administer individual psychological/educational tests.
Proper administration and interpretation of such tests would include the expertise to administer, score, interpret and integrate test results with observation of behaviors and other information about the student to make appropriate recommendations for intervention.
In addition to qualification guidelines contained in most test manuals, several professional organizations and Federal regulations have addressed this issue and are referenced below.
Counselors and other school professionals will vary in their abilities to administer individual psychological and educational tests based on their educational background and their experience.
As such, the decision must rest in the hands of the local district, relying on the expertise and experience of the school professional, and on the ethical guidelines established by appropriate professional organizations.
Interested parties may refer to ethical guidelines of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) at www.schoolcounselor.org and the qualifications guidelines in the manual of the tests being administered.
Additional References:
DESE, School Psychological Examiner Certification Requirements: http://www.dese.mo.gov/schoollaw/rulesregs/EducCertManual/ 26%20School%20Psychological%20Examiner%2004.pdf
DESE, School Psychologist Certification Requirements:
http://www.dese.mo.gov/schoollaw/rulesregs/EducCert Manual/27%20School%20Psychologist%2004-final.pdf
American Counseling Association Standards for Qualifications of Test Users: (Approved by the American Counseling Association Governing Council at its March 22-24, 2003 Meeting)
http://aac.ncat.edu/documents/Standards%20for%20
Qualifications%20of%20Test%20Users.DOC
Council for Exceptional Children, IDEA 97: Evaluation Procedures (34 CFR 300.532) http://www.cec.sped.org/law_res/doc/law/index.php
Standards for Provision of School Psychological Services: http://www.nasponline.org/certification/stand.html
By training and experience the school psychologist and/or school psychological examiner is/are qualified to administer measures of cognitive ability, behavioral, and emotional development. Other educational staff in your state’s public schools may also have the qualifications to administer these tests.
Qualifications for test administration are determined by test publishers and are specified in the test manuals. Other educational staff can assume responsibility for administering assessments in achievement and adaptive behavior. They may also perform classroom observations. Such staff may include special education teachers, school guidance counselors, remedial education teachers, classroom teachers, school nurses, and physical education teachers.
- How can I obtain information about counselor certification?
For information regarding counselor certification, you should contact Teacher Certification at (573) 751-0051 or visit the section website at http://www.dese.state.mo.us/divteachqual/teachcert/
- What is the tuition reimbursement program for counselors?
The “School Counselor Transition Reimbursement Program” is a limited funding program made available to promote the certification of individuals who are interested in the field of school guidance and counseling. The funds for this program can be used only for the initial 21 graduate hours required for provisional certification or to remove unqualified status.
Under this program, tuition reimbursement is made available to a limited number of applicants in each of the state-approved school counselor-training programs that decides to participate in the program. Individuals interested in pursuing this program need to contact the university of their choice regarding the availability of slots, program admissions requirements, etc.
Funds for the program are allocated on a year-by-year basis with a decision on continued funding being determined in April or May of each year and announced through the Division of Teacher Quality and Urban Education, Educator Recruitment and Retention Section. That section may be contacted by phoning 573-751-1668.
- What is the school counselor’s role in special education?
Special services is an issue that must be addressed directly when the counselor’s job description is defined. For example, if Special Education funds a percentage of counselor’s time, then that percentage of time must be deducted from the counselor’s time and effort in carrying out the districts comprehensive guidance program. If the counselor’s time is not funded by Special Education funds, counselor involvement beyond the scope of the district’s comprehensive guidance program will keep them from spending 100 percent of their time in the guidance program. Since comprehensive guidance program is for all students, there are many activities that include students enrolled in or who are eligible for Special Services.
Among these activities are:
- Participating with a member of the diagnostic team when counseling activities may be required
- Consulting with parents
- Conducting small group and individual guidance and counseling activities
- Conducting in-service training on topics such as team participation, skill or parenting conferencing techniques.
If there are any other questions, do not hesitate to call: Guidance and Placement Services at (573) 751-7966
- How can I obtain information about mentoring for new counselors?
Contact Kyle Heislen, Supervisor, Guidance and Placement Services at 573-751-7966 or e-mail: kyle.heislen@dese.mo.gov