Title 17. Education

Chapter 19. School Counselors and Directors

17:3002      Definition of terms

A. The terms “school counselor”, “counseling director”, and “practice of school counseling” for the purposes of this Chapter shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them in this Section. 

B. “Counseling director” is a member of the school faculty who functions as a school counselor but has the following additional responsibilities in the school system: 

(1) The director aids teachers by gathering and interpreting facts which will enable the student to take advantage of the educational opportunities available and to maximize personal growth and development. 

(2) The director fosters a greater understanding between teachers and parents of the emotional, social, and academic problems of the individual student as well as the potentialities and limitations of the student. 

C. (1) “Practice of school counseling” means the rendering, offering to render, or supervising those who render to individuals or groups of pupils within the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools, services involving the application of counseling procedures for learning how to solve problems and make decisions. 

(2) In the practice of counseling: 

(a) The counselor serves as an advocate for children within the adult structure of the school and community and has as his or her prime responsibility, services to and for the pupil, and 

(b) The counselor does not include among his or her responsibilities the administration of disciplinary action, substitute teaching, or administrative clerical duties. 

(3) A school counselor shall devote not less than two-thirds of each academic school year to the practice of school counseling. 

D. “School counselor” is a member of the school faculty who by training and background is qualified to engage in educational and vocational counseling and advisement. The purpose of a school counselor is to help students to arrive at their full potential through a process involving direct contact between the counselor and a student, parents, teachers, school administrators, and/or others. 

Added by Acts 1962, No. 319, § 2. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 389, § 1; Acts 1977, No. 334, § 1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex.Sess., No. 45, § 2; Acts 2021, No. 275, § 4.