A guidance program shall be incorporated into the district’s educational program to aid pupils in making informed and responsible decisions and in using effective decision making processes. The guidance program shall be developed and coordinated by the chief school administrator in consultation with teaching staff members he/she has identified as possessing necessary skills and abilities, to help pupils acquire the insights and knowledge they need to become autonomous, mature members of adult society in a democratic nation.

The board of education shall ensure all students have access to adequate and appropriate counseling services. When informing students about possible careers or professional or vocational opportunities, the options presented to students shall not be restricted or limited on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status. No biased or stereotyped tests or guidance or counseling materials shall be used.

The purpose of the guidance program shall be to help pupils in learning to make their own decisions concerning life’s many choices personal, educational, and career/vocational.

The guidance program shall provide, as fully as possible, the information needed to make the best decisions concerning the pupil’s educational program. Such information shall include facts such as test scores, grades and educational history. Pupil records may also include anecdotes, but shall not carry judgments, opinions and other advice.

Pupils shall be encouraged to avail themselves of the help of the guidance department’s personnel.

Guidance services shall include establishment of a referral system that guards the privacy of the pupil and monitors the efficacy of such referrals, when district resources are not sufficient, as in drug or alcohol counseling.

NJSBA Review/Update: January 2009, November 2017
Adopted: January 21, 2009
Revised/Readopted: March 15, 2017
Reviewed:

Key Words

Guidance Services

Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A:35 4.2 Career development program
N.J.S.A. 18A:36 19 Pupil records; creation, maintenance and retention, security and access; regulations; nonliability
N.J.S.A. 18A:36 19.1 Military recruiters; access to schools and student information directories
N.J.S.A. 18A:38 36 Employment certificates to part time pupils; revocation
N.J.S.A. 18A:46 5.1 Basic child study team services; provision by boards of education and state operated programs
N.J.A.C. 6A:7 1.7 Equality in school and classroom practices
N.J.A.C. 6A:8-1.1 et seq. Standards and Assessment
See particularly:
N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.2
N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-14.2 Substance awareness coordinator
N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-14.7 Director of school counseling services
N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-1.8 School counselor4
N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4 Evaluation
N.J.A.C. 6A:16-4.1 Adoption of policies and procedures for the intervention of student alcohol and other drug abuse
N.J.A.C. 6A:30-1.1et seq. Evaluation of the Performance of School Districts
N.J.A.C. 6A:32 7.1 et seq. Student Records
N.J.A.C. 6A:32 12.2 Guidance and counseling

Possible
Cross References: 5000 Concepts and roles in pupil personnel
5010 Personal goals and objectives for pupils
*5020 Role of parents/guardians
*5113 Absences and excuses
*5114 Suspension and expulsion
*5120 Assessment of individual needs
*5124 Reporting to parents/guardians
*5125 Pupil records
*5131 Conduct/discipline
*5131.1 Harassment, intimidation and bullying
*5131.6 Drugs, alcohol, tobacco (substance abuse)
*6142.12 Career education
*6145 Extracurricular activities
*6146 Graduation requirements
*6164.4 Child study team
*6171.1 Remedial instruction
*6171.2 Gifted and talented
*6171.4 Special education
*6172 Alternative educational programs
*6173 Home instruction

*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.