Counseling
Counselor Newsletter
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Topics
- Coronavirus/COVID-19 Counseling Resources (NEW)
- Archives
- College & Career Readiness
- Crisis Kit for Counselors
- Equity Resources (NEW)
- Individual Career Academic Planning
- Prevention Services
- Professional Associations
- Resources for Counselors
- Student Leadership Opportunities (Scholar Recommendations Now Open!)
- Training for Counselors
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Counseling ResourcesDuring this incredibly difficult time due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage school counselors, administrators, parents and students to 1) be vigilant in minding the safey and security of yourselves and your familes, 2) stay abreast of the most current information provided by the State Department of Education and other reputable sources such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Oklahoma County Health Department, and 3) be prepared when instruction resumes after the Cessation of Operations ends. Below are links to some resources to address most frequently asked questions (FAQs) that tend to arise during times of school closings or interruptions to traditional learning. Please visit the SDE website dedicated to updates regarding COVID-19 that reflect information from other departments, including but not limited to: Assessments, Special Education, Curriculum & Instruction, and School Operations. |
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Counseling Equity ResourcesThe Counseling Division of the Oklahoma State Department of Education supports the American School Counselor Association's position on equity and diversity in serving Oklahoma's students and educators. School Counselors are advocates for the equitable treatment of all students in school and the community. School Counselors recognize and distinguish individual and group differences and strive to equally value all students and groups.
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Academic CounselingAccess the most recent documents for guiding students through high school. Here you will find graduation checklists, transcript guidance, concurrent enrollment and career tech information, and subject code information. |
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Professional DevelopmentCounselors SPEAK seriesThe OSDE Counseling Department hosts a series of virtual forums to provide counselors the opportunity to address concerns that arise as they work to serve students in a safe, equitable, nurturing environment amidst times of intense chaos and confusion. Counselors are encouraged to SPEAK:
Presentations and resources from each Counselor SPEAK session can be accessed below:
The For Counselors Only Conference was be held March 10, 2020, at Hilton Garden Inn & Edmond Conference center. Reglistration links were sent via the Counselor's Newsletter. Over 600 Counselors serving students PK-12 from around the state registered to attend.
Speakers from across the state provided informative sessions designed to positively affect the academic, career, emotional, and social development of counselors and their students or clients. Click here to view the program. Presentations from this year's conference will be made available soon. To view last year's conference and PowerPoint presentations, visit the For Counselors Only web page (https://sites.google.com/view/counselorsonly2019) and select the Conference Video and Presentations tab. |
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Assessment Information |
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Student Leadership Opportunities
U.S. Presidential Scholar Award--Deadline October 30, 2020
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is soliciting recommendations of our State's top scholars for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognition award. We ask that educators submit information for an outstanding SENIOR student graduating between January and June 2021 who you believe will represent the State of Oklahoma well if selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar. Scholars will be selected based on outstanding leadership in the areas of academic achievement, community involvement, and positive character. As you form your recommendation, consider what makes the student stand out as having exemplary scholarship. Has the student overcome special challenges or hurdles while still achieving high academic success? Has the student engaged in consistent service learning that has impacted the school and community? Does the student exhibit innate leadership qualities that build relationships and empower others. We invite you to tell their story. Be their champion for this honor of excellence. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020. Note: Recommendations do not guarantee nomination. More than one student from each school can be submitted for recommendation. Make sure your district is represented in the pool of prospective nominations! Educators can recommend students using this link.
United States Senate Youth Program--Deadline November 20, 2020 Oklahoma applications can be accessed here and are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 20, 2020. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Finalists will be notified by December 31, 2020. Finalists will be required to attend a virtual interview the week of January 11-15, 2021. On the basis of the personal interview, essays, letter of recommendation, and application, judges will select two student delegates to represent Oklahoma and a first and second alternate. The two students chosen to represent Oklahoma as delegates and the two students chosen as alternates will be notified by the middle of February. USSYP is limited to juniors and seniors who are currently serving in any one of the following student government offices:
a. student body president, vice-president, secretary, or treasurer
Oklahoma Academic Scholars 2020 The Oklahoma Academic Scholars program recognizes outstanding academic achievement of graduating seniors. Oklahoma Academic Scholars will be presented a certificate of distinction from the state and their local high school. A gold seal will be affixed to their diplomas and the honor will be recorded on their official transcripts. Graduating seniors must meet all of the following criteria to qualify for this honor: Accumulate over Grades 9, 10, 11 and the first semester of Grade 12, a minimum grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted), or be in the top 10 percent of their class. Complete (or will complete) the curricular requirements for a standard diploma. Achieve a 27 composite score on the ACT or 1220 combined reading and mathematics score on the SAT I. The ACT or SAT I must have been taken on a national test date.
For more information, contact the Gifted and Talented office at 405-522-3522. 2020 Superintendent's Student Advisory Council OSDE has announced the names of 104 Juniors and Seniors who will serve on Supeintendent Hofmeister's Student Advisory Council. Students were recommended by their respective district Superintendents and will represent the voice of thousands of Oklahoma students across the State. For the official announcement and complete list of names, click here. |
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College & Career Readiness
For additional College and Career Readiness resources, please visit the OSDE High School Graduation Resources page or the OKEdge website. For quick access to two of Oklahoma's approved online ICAP tools see below:
OK Career Guide
Does your district need an online tool for Individual Career Academic Planning (ICAP)? This interactive website that is an easy online tool available for all Oklahomans to explore their future. You can take assessments, identify occupations, establish education plans, and, ultimately, connect to employers. Whether you are a student searching for career and college options or an adult looking for a new career path, OK Career Guide is the powerful tool to provide all the career and educational resources you need to chart your course for the future. For more information visit the OKCareerGuide.org webpage.
OK College Start
This is a free resource available for your district's ICAP online tool. This interactive site is a comprehensive place where you can plan for college powered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Visit the OKCollegeStart webpage for more information.
Prevention Services
The Prevention Education Division administers programs and initiatives that assist districts in addressing the risk behaviors in Oklahoma’s students. Click here for resources that deal with bullying, suicide, substance abuse and violence prevention,
Professional Associations
- American Psychological Association - The APA represents psychology in the United States and is the largest association of psychologists worldwide.
- American School Counselor Association - ASCA is the national organization that represents the profession of school counseling. ASCA focuses on providing professional development, enhancing school counseling programs, and researching effective school counseling practices.
- National Association for College Admission Counseling - NACAC is an education association of secondary school counselors, college and university admission officers and counselors and related individuals who work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education.
- National Association of School Psychologists - The National Association of School Psychologists represents school psychology and supports school psychologists to enhance the learning and mental health of all children and youth.
- National Board for Professional Teaching Standards - The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) sets standards and offers national certification in nearly 30 fields, including school counseling. School counselors may apply directly to the NBPTS for national certification. For additional information, see "National Board Certified Teachers."
- Oklahoma Counseling Association - Oklahoma's organization for all persons engaged in any phase of personnel work, educational-vocational guidance and professional counseling. The Association is organized as a state branch of the American Counseling Association.
- Oklahoma School Counselor Association - This organization works to foster a close personal and professional relationship among school counselors and with counselors in other settings. Additionally, the group works to improve the standards of counseling and the relationships with other pupil personnel services for students in elementary, middle school/junior high, senior high and post-high school settings. OSCA is chartered by the American School Counselor Association.
Resources for Counselors
For resources, training and professional development that address topics such as Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), College & Career Readiness, and Prevention, please visit our Training for Counselors page dedicated to providing counselors access to both local and national resources.
Resource Library
The OSDE Prevention Services Department has a resource library with about 150 items that you can check out and have mailed to you at any time! There are 66 DVDs, 19 curriculums, and 64 books available. Click the links below to see the list and print the form to check out materials.
