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After 20 months of research, hard work, and dedication, we are pleased to announce the Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework is now published! This Framework is the result of the expertise of school counseling stakeholders from across Oklahoma. We are incredibly proud of the breadth and depth of information that the Framework will provide school counselors and school counselor stakeholders.
The Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework has been developed to ensure school counselors have the support needed to meet the needs of all students in our ever-changing world. The Oklahoma State Department of Education believes every child deserves and must have the opportunity for a strong, competitive education that can lead to a productive and fulfilling life. School counselors are vital members of the educational team that strives to make this vision a reality.
The Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework clearly defines the role of the school counselor in 21st century education for students, caregivers, educators, school counselors, administrators, boards of education, school districts, communities, and business and industry. The Framework describes essential program elements that allow schools to design and develop their own programs appropriate to their unique student and community priorities. Utilizing the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model, the Framework provides a tool for systemic change, a way of defining school counseling as a program for every student rather than a service for some.
Superintendent Joy Hofmeister stated, “We continue to work toward transformational change in school counseling in Oklahoma. In 2021, Oklahoma invested $35.7 million of COVID relief funds in the School Counselor Corps, dramatically increasing the number of school counselors across the state. Now, we hope that this framework strengthens the services provided by school counselors, increases the understanding of the role of the school counselor, and results in better outcomes for our Oklahoma students.”
With the publication of the Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework comes many other exciting supports including:
- A robust Resources Hub that includes templates and other helpful documents
- An asynchronous training platform that includes webinars, discussions, and technical assistance as you work towards implementing the new Framework.
- This platform includes self-paced modules. You can earn 20 professional development hours through these modules. While the modules are asynchronous, synchronous support can be provided along the way.
- To sign up for the OSDE Connect: Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework Platform, see the detailed instructions here.
- Synchronous training for your school or district on the Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework.
Noble Prize winner and author Toni Morrision once stated, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” The Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework is the unwritten book that we desired to read. To the school counselors of Oklahoma, may this Framework guide you, but may your heart for your students lead the way.
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