(a) The counseling staff, parents, administrators, and others shall provide guidance and counseling program direction through involvement in assessment and identification of student needs. (b) The school shall develop a written description of an outcomes-based (competency) guidance and counseling program with special provisions for at-risk students. The program shall address assessed needs of all students, including those who are identified as at-risk, and shall establish program goals, objectives, and an evaluation. (c) Each school shall provide an organized program of guidance and counseling services. (1) Counseling services shall be provided to students, in group or individual settings, that facilitate understanding of self and environment. (2) The counseling services shall provide a planned sequential program of group guidance activities that enhance student self-esteem and promote the development of student competence in the academic, personal/social, and career/vocational areas. (3) The provider of counseling services shall consult with staff members, parents, and community resources and make appropriate referrals to other specialized persons, clinics, or agencies in the community. (4) Counseling and guidance services shall be coordinated and shall work cooperatively with other school staff, community resources, and other educational entities. (d) Each counselor shall follow a planned calendar of activities based on established program goals and provide direct and indirect services to students, teachers, and/or parents.

The school shall provide for guidance services. Such services may be provided by a guidance counselor or other personnel specially trained in the area of guidance.

All students will receive counseling and guidance services from certified school counselors. The guidance program shall provide one counselor for a maximum of 450 students, with no school district having less than one half-time counselor with one exception: districts with fewer than 225 students may prorate the number of hours per week a certified school counselor is required by dividing the number of students enrolled by 450 and multiplying the quotient by 30.

All students will receive counseling and guidance services from certified school counselors. The guidance program shall provide one counselor for a maximum of 450 students, with no school district having less than one half-time counselor with one exception: districts with fewer than 225 students may prorate the number of hours per week a certified school counselor is required by dividing the number of students enrolled by 450 and multiplying the quotient by 30.

A. The Legislature recognizes that many students are dealing with family and societal issues that make it difficult or impossible for them to be successful students. Among other school-based counseling programs, designated youth services agencies provide counseling for those students. To assure the quality and availability of the counseling services, the Legislature finds that it is desirable that school districts have access to individual and group counseling using an evidence-based counseling curriculum to prevent self-defeating, destructive or disruptive behavior. The curriculum may include training in problem solving, anger management, grief counseling, responsibility, communication and decision-making skills. B. In order to assure the ability of school districts to give their students the best opportunity for academic and personal success, subject to the availability of funds, the Office of Juvenile Affairs, together with the Oklahoma Association of Youth Services, shall identify an evidence-based counseling curriculum. Subject to the availability of funds, the Office of Juvenile Affairs, through designated youth services agencies, shall make the identified evidence-based counseling available to students in school districts. C. For purposes of this section, “evidence-based” means a program or practice that has had multiple-site randomized controlled trials across heterogeneous populations demonstrating that the program or practice is effective for the population.

B. Standard for accreditation adopted by the State Board of Education shall include Standard relating to the provision of school counselors to the public school children of this state. The State Board of Education shall require each local school district to provide information regarding the number of counselors serving each school site, the duties of all such counselors including all administrative duties, the number of students served by each counselor, and information regarding the number of counselors employed per elementary school, middle school, junior high school and high school.

C. Nothing in this section shall prevent a school district board of education from choosing to follow any or all state laws, rules or regulations from which a charter school is exempt. A school district which has been granted approval by the State Board for exemption as set forth in subsection B of this section shall have the option to adopt policies to implement any requirement for the school district that is consistent with any statutory requirement or mandate or State Board rule, but a participating school shall comply with the following requirements: 9. School districts shall employ as teachers, counselors, librarians, school nurses, superintendents, principals, supervisors or any other instructional, supervisory or administrative employee only those persons who are certified by the State Board of Education in accordance with the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act, except for persons exempt from the certification requirements as otherwise provided by law

Rubric requires elementary schools to provide for counseling services, which may be provided by a counselor or other personnel specially trained in the area of guidance.