School Keys: Unlocking Excellence Through The Georgia School Standards

The Georgia Department of Education recently scripted a set of rigorous schools performance standards which serve as the framework for a comprehensive and data-driven system of school improvement and support. Not only are students expected to demonstrate proficiency in numerous academic areas, but schools are also expected to demonstrate high impact practices which improve student achievement. Professional school counselors are one of the "keys" to school improvement. Using data from a variety of sources, school counselors help identify patterns of achievement and participate in planning academic interventions to address underachievement. School counselors also involve parents and other community members as active participants in the school mission. Finally, professional school counselors assess the learning climate of the school and promote practices which enhance the learning of all students.