New Policy Discussed for Guidance Dept. at LHS

Ledyard school board member Gordon Strickland Jr. led a discussion of a possible new policy for the school guidance programs, the Comprehensive School Counseling Program, at the board's regular meeting Wednesday.

Strickland, the board’s secretary and a member of the Policy Committee, said the new policy would fill an important gap.

“The board’s never actually laid out what we expect from its counseling program,” he said. Members have talked about possible changes, or what the existing programs have accomplished, but their goals remain vague.

The goals Strickland suggested include offering a range of services to students.

“This policy is directly modeled after the 2008 State Comprehensive Counseling Program," he said. "We’ve essentially captured the goals, if you will – what we want the program to do.”

For example, counselors would help students not only with academics, but with career planning and developing personal and social skills. “When you look at it, these are all important skills for kids to have. It’s not all about the grades,” said Strickland.

He also envisions counselors working with students in a variety of ways. They may work one-on-one with children or in a group setting. They will also play a responsive role. “Responsive,” Strickland said, “is, ‘There’s a hot issue. Go handle it.’” Ultimately, he hopes that counselors will spend as much as 80 percent of their time working with students.

Students will receive these services from sixth grade until graduation. According to Strickland, a state law requires the school to begin keeping track of students’ thoughts on future careers in sixth grade.

The plan, however, leaves much to be done.“The idea of being comprehensive is (a ways) from what we have,” Strickland said. The policy also lacks a clear plan for change. “It’s two pages of  ‘Here’s what we want’ and then a big paragraph of ‘Dr. Graner, make it happen, please’” he said.

If the Board adopts the new policy, its effect may be gradual. “This is, ‘Here’s where we want to be,’ not, ‘be here tomorrow,’” Strickland said.  The program defines expectations for the guidance department, rather than demanding immediate change. Strickland also said the Board would seek feedback from counselors on what it would take to implement the policy.

The Board also intends to assess the guidance program. Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Graner said that he had already met with Louis Gabordi, the principal of Ledyard High School, to discuss this topic. Surveys offer one possibility, and also provide a way to reach out to parents, as well.

The Board will vote on whether to adopt the program at a later meeting. Although some members voiced questions or concerns, the chair, Sharon Hightower felt it was an improvement.

“We’ve been researching the guidance situation. It’s clear that many districts didn’t have a clear guidance policy,” she said. “I think we’re moving in a good way to help ensure success.”