Counseling and Support Services

School Counselor Recognition

From the day to day tasks of school counseling, student schedules, crisis intervention, guidance lessons, academic advising, providing help with homelessness & necessities, and an overwhelming amount of other responsibilities; a School Counselor is typically behind the scenes making it all run smoothly.  This section is dedicated to recognizing across Region 16 and the state; the amazing School Counselors and the positive impact that you make on a child's life.  Encouraging and inspirational links will also be provided to appreciate and motivate School Counselors to keep doing your best work.

Texas Health and Human Services/ 211

Texas System of Care 

Mental Health Texas

COVID-19 Support: General Support | Texas Education Agency

[email protected]
(512) 434-0775

Each school district must report the academic achievement record (AAR) of students who have completed a minimum, recommended, advanced (distinguished), or foundation high school program. The transcript forms must include the required standard content for the AAR. The words “academic achievement record” and “transcript” are interchangeable. The form must serve as the academic record for each student and must be maintained permanently by the district.  

Note: The AAR standards have not been updated by TEA since 2012

TEA Academic Achievement Record

Texas Education Data Standards (TSDS)

TSDS Web-Enabled Data Standards

At Risk Indicator Defined

Indicators Codes

State Compensatory Education FAQ (pg. 6)

State law requires every Texas school district to adopt an attendance accounting system that includes procedures to ensure the accurate recording and reporting of student attendance data. The Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH) contains the official attendance accounting requirements that all public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas must meet. The agency collects student attendance data primarily to ensure that Foundation School Program (FSP) funds can be correctly allocated to Texas’s public schools.

TEA Attendance Accounting Handbook

Texas OnCourse provided Financial Aid Toolkits for:

Personal Graduation Plans

This document provides information about Personal Graduation Plans from TEA.

The Texas Records Exchange (TREx) system is a web-based software application designed for the exchange of electronic student records as mandated by the 79th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, 2006 (House Bill 1). Using the TREx application, school registrars can electronically request and receive student records for students who have attended or will be attending Texas public schools.  High school registrars and counselors can electronically create and send official student transcripts to Texas public colleges and universities using TREx to access the SPEEDE server.

 

Texas Records Exchange - TEA

What is the AAR?
The Academic Achievement Record (AAR) is the record of a student's  academic achievement for their diploma program. This is also known as a transcript. There are specific guidelines for the minimum which needs to be recorded on the AAR.  Transcripts may be issued as official or unofficial depending upon the request circumstances. 

How does AAR Relate to colleges?
The AAR is a record to colleges of what a student has taken in high school as well as their GPA and testing history. Colleges request official copies directly from a school district and are responsible for obtaining authority to do so. 

How long is my district required to keep student records on file?
Academic records for students in grades PreK – 8 (a.k.a. cumulative records) are to be kept for 5 years from the date of withdrawal. Academic records for students in 9-12 are to be kept permanently. There are various rules on specific records.

Key Questions for a Counselor?
1. What is the record keeping system for my district? When will I receive training? 
2. What method is used for electronic record keeping and paper based record keeping? 
3. What format does my district use for the AAR? 
4. Who handles the procedure for transcripts? What is my role? 

The Student Assessment Division manages and oversees the development, administration, scoring, and analysis of the Texas assessment program, which includes the following assessments:

• STAAR
• STAAR Alternate 2
• STAAR Spanish
• TELPAS
• TAKS
• TAC and TEC related to Testing

TEA Student Assessment Division

TEA Testing

The CO22 table is a set of service IDs in the PEIMS system for specific types of records. Each area has a set of codes designed to help schools with assigning personnel, courses and completion by students.

 

ESCs & LEAs Using TSDS PEIMS Only

Our programs are designed to boost lifelong learning and potential for success in schools and workplaces around the world. We're passionate about making a difference in all we do. Whether it's guiding students along their learning paths, enabling companies to develop their workforce, fostering parent, teacher, and counselor understanding of student progress, guiding job seekers toward career success, or informing policymakers about education and workforce issues.

ACT

ApplyTexas was created through a collaborative effort between the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the colleges and universities represented on the site. The goal of the project is to offer a centralized means for both Texas and non-Texas students to apply to the many outstanding postsecondary institutions available in Texas.

ApplyTexas

ApplyTexas Counselor Suite Instructions

Students who graduate with a grade point average in the top of their high school graduating class may be eligible for certain privileges when applying to college.

TEA Graduation Information

College for All Texans

The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity.

Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools.

College Board

New! College Board Counselor Resources

The Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.023, allows students in primary grades to accelerate a grade level and students in secondary academic courses to earn credit for a course on the basis credit by examination. Credit-by-examination assessments (CBEs) must be approved by each local board of trustees.

Credit by Examination from TEA

College Board CLEP

Dual credit allows high school students to enroll in college classes and receive credit for both high school and college requirements.

Texas Common Course Numbering System

Texas Administrative Code on Dual Credit

At the U.S. Department of Education's office of Federal Student Aid, our job is to fund students as they pursue a college or career school education. You'll see that the Financial Aid Toolkit focuses very much on that topic. However, we did want to share some information on college preparation to provide a fuller picture. Your students can find information at StudentAid.gov/prepare.

 

FAFSA
Federal Student Aid Toolkit for Counselors
Best Colleges: Understanding the FAFSA

The CTE resource center is a one-stop shop for CTE professional development, instructional materials, and program information. Many new CTE teachers come from business and industry, and need additional support and resources to be successful in the classroom.

Visit the Texas CTE Resource Center from TEA

Texas has now launched 60x30TX, the new higher education strategic plan which aims to position Texas among the highest achieving states in the country and maintain its global competitiveness. 60x30TX is entirely student-centered: its overarching goal is that 60 percent of young adults (25-34) in Texas will hold some type of postsecondary credential by 2030. It also proposes that these graduates will have marketable skills regardless of major and that, statewide, students will not graduate with debt exceeding 60 percent of their first-year wages.

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Texas OnCourse empowers you—pre-K through grade 12 students, parents, teachers, and counselors—to make decisions that will help you, your child or your students succeed after high school.  It is the result of three Texas government agencies pooling our resources, with the help of UT Austin, in one easy-to-navigate site.

Texas OnCourse

The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is part of the Texas Success Initiative program designed to help your college or university determine if you are ready for college-level course work in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics.

 

 

• New! College Board TSI Web-Based Study App
• New! TSI Sample Questions from College Board
• New! Houston Community College TSI Practice Tests
• New! West Texas A&M University Virtual Math Lab
• New! College Board TSI Sample Essays

The new higher education plan, 60x30TX, focuses on this common goal by striving for 60 percent of the 25- to 34-year-old Texas population to hold a certificate or degree by 2030. The plan seeks to increase student success through the combined expertise and resources of many stakeholders. Because of these collaborative efforts, Texas institutions of higher education will have more opportunities to grow, which will enrich students and the state.

About 60x30TX

Texas College Access Network (TxCAN)

• Chapter 37-Safe Schools
• Child Abuse Prevention & Overview
• Human Trafficking of School-aged Children
• Pregnancy Related Services

• Texas State Texas School Safety Center Bullying Resources 
• Stop Bullying.Gov 
• Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center
• Cyberbullying Research Center 
• SAMHSA Bullying Prevention 

• TEA Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements 
• DFPS Report Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation 
• Texas Abuse Hotline
• TEA Child Sexual Abuse Prevention 

• CDC Dating Matters Initiative 
• Break the Cycle
• National Center for Victims of Crime Dating Violence

• Bully Prevention
• Suicide Prevention
• Suicide Prevention for Districts
• Trauma and Grief

• Texas Panhandle Centers

• Texas School Safety Center
  
  • Standard Response Protocol Video
• Governor Greg Abbott’s School and Firearm Safety Action Plan 
• i love u guys Foundation 
• A Framework for Safe and Successful Schools
• School Violence Prevention
• Stop the Bleed: Dept.of Homeland Security
• Go Kit Resource 
• Trauma and Grief Center

Developmental Asset Profile (DAP)
The Youth and Program Strengths survey (YAPS)
The Attitudes and Behaviors Survey (A&B)
REACH Survey

• Texas Department of State Health Services Suicide Resources 
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• SAMHSA Preventing Suicide Toolkit for High Schools 
• After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools
• Cornell Self Injury and Recovery Research and Resources (SIRR)
• Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale(C-SSRS)
• Suicide Response Protocols Webinar Recording & Corresponding Slides (PDF)

2019 Legislative Updates Related to School Health, Safety & Discipline

SB 11 Detailed Summary

• 86th Legislative Session Bill Book
• 2019 Mandated Training
• 86th Legislative Information Guide

86th Legislative Conclusion

86th Legislative Session Affection Counselors

EDUCATION CODE CHAPTER 28. COURSES OF STUDY; ADVANCEMENT (texas.gov)

• the number of hours of instruction to be provided in: health education in kindergarten through 8th grade; and if the school district requires health education for high school graduation, health education, including physical health education and mental health education, in grades 9 - 12;
• policies, procedures, strategies, and curriculum appropriate for specific grade levels designed to prevent physical health concerns, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and mental health concerns, including suicide, through coordination of:
  
  • health education, which must address physical health concerns and mental health concerns;
  • physical education and physical activity;
  • nutrition services;
  • parental involvement;
  • instruction on substance abuse prevention;
  • school health services, including mental health services;
  • a comprehensive school counseling program;
  • a safe and healthy school environment; and
  • school employee wellness;
• appropriate grade levels and methods of instruction for human sexuality instruction;
• strategies for integrating the curriculum components specified by above in a coordinated school health program for the district:
  
  • school health services, including physical health services and mental health services;
  • a comprehensive school counseling program;
  • a safe and healthy school environment; and
  • school employee wellness;
• joint use agreements or strategies for collaboration between the school district and community organizations or agencies; and
• strategies to increase parental awareness regarding:
  • risky behaviors and early warning signs of suicide risks and behavioral health concerns, including mental health disorders and substance use disorders; and
  • available community programs and services that address risky behaviors, suicide risks, and behavioral health concerns
• appropriate grade levels and curriculum for instruction regarding opioid addiction and abuse and methods of administering an opioid antagonist.
• The Texas Education Code §28.004(c)(3) specifies that the local school health advisory council's duties include recommending appropriate grade levels and methods of instruction for human sexuality instruction.
   
  The Texas Education Code §28.004(e) requires that any course materials and instruction relating to human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, or human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome be selected by the board of trustees with the advice of the local school health advisory council.
   

  EDUCATION CODE CHAPTER 28. COURSES OF STUDY; ADVANCEMENT (texas.gov)

• classroom teachers employed by the district;
• school counselors employed by the district;
• school administrators employed by the district;
• district students;
• health care professionals licensed or certified to practice in this state, including medical or mental health professionals;
• the business community;
• law enforcement;
• senior citizens;
• the clergy;
• nonprofit health organizations; and
• local domestic violence programs.

The Texas Education Code §28.004(d-1) specifies that local SHACs must meet at least four times during the school year.

• At least 72 hours prior to the meeting, notice of the meeting (date, hour, location, meeting topics) must be posted on a bulleting board in the central administrative office of each campus in the district and be posted on the district’s] website.
• Prepare and maintain minutes of the meeting, including the subject and deliberation of each vote, decision, or action taken by the SHAC.
• Make an audio or video recording of the meeting and submit the recording to the district within 10 days of the meeting.
• The district must post the minutes and recording of the meeting as soon as practicable on the district’s website.

Aside from the specified duties in the Texas Education Code, local SHACs can provide valuable feedback to the school district on topics related to school health. The Texas School Health Advisory Committee (TSHAC) has compiled numerous resources to support local SHACs.  One document the TSHAC developed is titled “Topics for Local SHAC Meetings” – this resource includes a list of potential topics SHACs may want to consider addressing.  The resource can be found at the following web address: School Health Advisory Committee: Resources (texas.gov)

• any SHAC recommendation concerning the school district's health education curriculum and instruction;
• any suggested modification to a SHAC recommendation previously submitted to the board;
• a detailed explanation of the SHAC's activities during the period between the date of the current report and the date of the last prior written report; and
• any recommendations made by the physical activity and fitness planning subcommittee of the SHAC.

HB 1525 did not change the applicability of TEC §28.004 in reference to charter schools or Districts of Innovation (DOI) that have opted out of this section and have not listed having a SHAC in their DOI plan. Therefore, the changes made by HB 1525 to TEC §28.004, do not apply to such school systems.