2140 - Guidance and Counseling

The District recognizes that guidance and counseling is an important part of the District’s total program of instruction and is integral in achieving the District’s mission of academic excellence and success for all students. The District will provide counseling and guidance services in accordance with state laws and regulations, and District Regulations and procedures. 

The District believes school counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student achievement and supporting a safe, compassionate learning environment. In the Issaquah School District, the purpose and role of the school counselor is to plan, organize, and deliver a comprehensive school guidance and counseling program that personalizes education and supports, promotes, and enhances the academic, personal, social, and career development of all students, based, in part, on the national standards for school counseling programs of the American School Counselor Association. 

The comprehensive school guidance and counseling program will assist every student in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to become an effective student, responsible citizen, productive worker, and a lifelong learner. To that end, the District will develop and use materials, orientation programs and counseling techniques that encourage participation in all school programs and courses of study, including career and vocational technical programs and employment opportunities, based on factors other than sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal.

Annually, the District will review student enrollment data within courses and programs disaggregated by sex, race, limited-English proficiency and disability, including students protected under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. In reviewing the data, the District will determine whether a substantially disproportionate number of students within these categories are enrolled in a particular course or program. If disproportionality is found, the District will take prompt action to ensure that it is not the result of discrimination in 1) the identification and selection of students; 2) course and program enrollment criteria; 3) tests and appraisal instruments; 4) academic, career and vocational guidance materials; 5) work-study programs and opportunities; 6) educational scheduling or placement by counselors; or 7) other factors related to course or program enrollment.