Director of Guidance, PK-12

Policies

Middletown Public Schools

Director of Guidance, PK-12

DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE, PK-12

REPORTS TO:            Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

SUPERVISES: Staff members assigned as Guidance Counselors.

JOB GOAL:                 To provide leadership, coordination and innovation in the eight (8) policy categories as they relate to a comprehensive program that will enable all students to benefit from their educational program.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

A.       ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP

1.        Supports the district Mission Statement and implements the district’s Strategic Plan.

2.        Prepares and administers the Guidance budget.

3.        Plans and carries out an effective system-wide guidance and counseling program, including a program to provide counseling for individuals and groups of students and parents.

4.        Collaborates with teachers, principals, and other school personnel to establish  plans for respective roles in the modification of the student’s behavior.

5.        Assists in recruiting, screening, assigning, evaluating, and training staff members.

6.        Is an Ad-Hoc member of the COZ team.

7.        Maintains records in a confidential manner.

8.        Works collaboratively with Regional Special Education Department as an advocate for programs and services for children with special needs.

9.        Directs the development of a results- based Guidance program that delineates program elements based on desired student outcomes.

10.       Performs such other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities as may from time to time be assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

B.         CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENT PROCESS

1.        Assists in the development of system-wide student competencies.

2.        Oversees, interprets and utilizes student achievement data for continuous educational improvement and directs the collection of statistical data required in planning the educational program.

3.        Coordinates the system-wide testing program.

C.       SUPERVISORY LEADERSHIP

1.        Assigns a case manager to coordinate services for students, including the identification, diagnosis, follow-up, and referral of students with problems related to attendance, mental health, or learning difficulties.

2.        Organizes and directs counselor teams that utilize each counselor’s unique strengths.

3.        Promotes an ongoing program of counselor competency.

4.        Oversees the transition of students from school to school and grade to grade  including the transfer of relevant student information.

D.       STAFF DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND IMPROVEMENT

1.        Remains cognizant of current State and district requirements, regulations and policies.

2.        Conducts in-service workshops, training and professional development programs for members of the department and appropriate related staff.  Encourages staff attendance at professional conferences.

3.        Assumes responsibility for own professional development; for keeping current with the literature, new research findings, and improved techniques in specialized areas; and for attending appropriate professional meetings.  Acts as liaison between the Middletown Public Schools and State, Regional, and National professional organizations.

E.       EVALUATION RESPONSIBILITIES

1.        Evaluates the performance of each department member in collaboration with the building principal based on each counselor’s contributions and his/her ability to produce student results.

2.        Evaluates, monitors and revises department programs as necessary.

F.        COMMUNITY RELATIONS

1.        Organizes and coordinates an Advisory Council that will assist the guidance department in setting priorities, auditing goals and making recommendations to the department.

2.        Assumes responsibility for school-to-work experiences as an integral part of a student learning experience.

3.        Plans and develops a coordinated work-based program that includes instruction in general workplace competencies.  Coordinates a committee that will create linkage with local business partners, providing students with workplace experiences and competencies.

4.        Coordinates referrals to school and community resources.

5.        Coordinates effective liaison, with the various offices and agencies within the community that may provide specialized or professional help to students and their parents, and serves as the referral agent to those offices and agencies.

6.        Establishes effective working relationships with other institutions of the Town, Region, and State that may be of use to teachers, parents or students.

7.        Maintains communication with parents on a regular basis.

G.       TEACHING

** **1.        Studies, screens and recommends materials, methods and techniques of teaching that support continuous teacher improvement.

2.        Assumes responsibility for a teaching assignment or an equivalent assignment at the discretion of the Superintendent.

H.       HUMAN RELATIONS

1.         Fosters good fellowship and “esprit de corps” within the department.

2.         Utilizes caring, supporting and motivating techniques in all interpersonal contacts, i.e., student, staff and community.

3.         Assists in resolving difficulties between department members, teachers, students and parents.

TERMS OF                  As per contract for K-12 Directors with on-call provisions of up

EMPLOYMENT:        to 40 days.

EVALUATION:         Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the School Committee’s Policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel.

1st Reading - May 6, 1996

2nd Reading & Approved by School Committee - June 3, 1996**      **