Outline of the state of Indiana
State
Indiana
Required

Category
School Counseling Elementary Grade Levels—K-8

Category
School Counseling Elementary Grade Levels—K-8

State law requires the provision of school counseling or guidance services in elementary grade levels (K-8).

Indiana Administrative Code 511 4-1.5-2 Personnel

(b) The following ratios are recommended for providing student services:

  • (1) For elementary educational and career services, one (1) school counselor for every six hundred (600) students enrolled in grades 1 through 6 in the corporation.
  • (2) For secondary school educational and career services, one (1) school counselor for every three hundred (300) students enrolled in grades 7 through 12 in the corporation.
  • (3) For student assistance services, one (1) school counselor, school psychologist, or master's level school social worker for every seven hundred (700) students enrolled in the corporation.
  • (4) For health services, one (1) registered nurse for every seven hundred fifty (750) students enrolled in the corporation.
Policy Type
Regulation

Indiana Administrative Code 511 4-1.5-5 Student assistance services

(a) School corporations shall provide student assistance services at the elementary and secondary school levels. (b) Student assistance services shall be coordinated by a:

  • (1) certified school counselor;
  • (2) certified school psychologist; or
  • (3) certified school social worker (master's level). (c) Student assistance services shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • (1) Prevention, which includes:
  • (A) assisting teachers and parents in delivering the health and social studies proficiencies of the school curricula;
  • (B) collaborating with community resources to develop summer and extended school programs to meet the social and recreational needs of students; and
  • (C) educating school staff and parents on the developmental needs and behavioral management of students.
  • (2) Assessment, which includes:
  • (A) educating school staff and parents to identify and refer students who are experiencing problems that interfere with student learning;
  • (B) obtaining and interpreting data on student needs; and
  • (C) implementing the school's policies and procedures with regard to identifying and referring students with their families who are in need of special services.
  • (3) Intervention, which includes:
  • (A) providing brief individual and group counseling to students and families who need help with personal concerns or developmental problems; and
  • (B) providing consultation services to school staff and parents regarding strategies for helping students cope with personal and social concerns.
  • (4) Referral, which includes:
  • (A) implementing policies and procedures for referring students and families to student assistance services and to community agencies for intensive counseling or other specialized services not available from the school;
  • (B) disseminating a directory of community services and resources; and
  • (C) creating a system to monitor referrals to ensure that students and families receive services in a timely and appropriate manner.
Policy Type
Regulation

School Counselor Job Description

Model job description to comply with indiana law having a designated counselor.

Policy Type
Non-codified