Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Guidance Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Counselors outline updated K–12 guidance plan, emphasize career readiness and employability skills
Summary
District counseling staff presented an updated K–12 guidance plan that trims redundant material while increasing emphasis on career readiness, employability skills and data‑driven student outcomes; presenters said career‑related artifacts and a renewed advisory process will expand student exposure to internships and employer partnerships.
Counseling department staff presented West York Area SD’s updated K–12 guidance plan during the board’s regular meeting, saying the plan now narrows previous material while strengthening career‑and‑college readiness and measurable outcomes.
“As the instructional leader of the counseling department, I want to thank all of our counselors K–12 — it really was a team effort,” said the instructional leader of the counseling department, who introduced the plan and its alignment to the ASCA national model and Pennsylvania career/education/work standards required under school code chapter 339. The presenters said the state has reduced required content, allowing the district to focus the plan on program delivery (tier 1) and essential artifacts for each career standard.
The presenters said the revised plan puts a new emphasis on employability skills — communication, teamwork and technology — and integrates entrepreneurship across multiple standards rather than leaving it as a standalone domain. They described program elements that will collect career artifacts from students throughout the year and tie counseling activities to attendance, discipline and academic outcomes.
At the high school level, counselors described twice‑yearly advisory council meetings that include community members, students and faculty, and highlighted a recent career expo that hosted more than 20 employers and 20 nonprofits. “Every year I put together a career expo for grades 9 through 12,” a presenter said, noting an effort to pair students with employers, post‑secondary partners such as HACC and York County School of Technology, and former West York graduates who returned to discuss career paths.
Presenters cited a reduction in the number of graduates who reported no post‑secondary plan: roughly 46 two years ago versus about eight last year. The counseling team framed that decline as evidence the district’s outreach and advising strategies are increasing student clarity about next steps.
Why it matters: Board members and counselors said the plan will shape how counseling time and district resources are used to prepare students for both college and workforce pathways. The presentation preceded a scheduled vote on the formal 339 plan next week.
The board thanked the counselors for the presentation and recommended the plan be placed on the agenda for formal consideration at the next regular meeting.
