School Counseling Program Summer Project

School Counseling Program Summer Project

Design a comprehensive, equitable, and developmentally appropriate school counseling program aligned to the ASCA National Model, the District 209 PACE Framework, and district strategic priorities. Ensure all students have access to a guaranteed and viable school counseling curriculum supporting academic achievement, career readiness, and social/emotional development. Articulate a districtwide scope and sequence defining counseling competencies and outcomes across grade levels. Align counseling curriculum and student experiences with SchooLinks as the district's postsecondary planning and career readiness platform for counselors and students. Provide school counselors the opportunity to collaborate on a cohesive and consistent counseling program across District 209 schools.

Curriculum writers will develop a districtwide comprehensive school counseling program that includes:

• An ASCA-aligned program framework, including Mindsets & Behaviors and core program components.
• A vertically aligned scope and sequence connected to the PACE Framework.
• Counseling curriculum maps defining student competencies, counselor-delivered instruction, and engagement expectations.
• Clear guidance for counselor and student use of SchooLinks for academic planning, career exploration, postsecondary planning, and goal-setting across grade levels.

The finalized document will serve as the foundational counseling curriculum guiding districtwide implementation and practice.

Qualifications:

• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a School Counselor endorsement.
• Knowledge of and experience with the ASCA National Model and comprehensive school counseling program design.
• Experience aligning counseling practices to academic, career, and social/emotional outcomes.
• Familiarity with SchooLinks.
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Teams and OneDrive.
• Flexibility, responsiveness to feedback, and ability to meet timelines.

Requirements:

• Attend professional development related to ASCA-aligned counseling programs, PACE Framework alignment, and SchooLinks integration.
• Participation by at least two counselors from different schools when possible.
• Creation and submission of a detailed work plan outlining tasks, timelines, and responsibilities prior to beginning work.
• Adherence to district curriculum design criteria and use of district-approved templates.
• Collaboration with district counselors and stakeholders for feedback.
• Ongoing communication with District Administration and responsiveness to feedback throughout the project.
• Maintenance of all work in shared OneDrive Word documents; final materials will be published to SharePoint upon approval.

Project Timeline: Projects may begin June 1, 2026. All work must be completed by July 31, 2026.

Compensation: Stipends will be processed following review and approval by District Administration. Per the CBA: Full Project (Districtwide Comprehensive Counseling Program): $4,820 If the stipend is shared, it will be split evenly among all writers.