[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 13 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK

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                         HON. AUSTIN J. MURPHY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 1994

  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of the 
Congress that February 7 through 11 is National School Counseling Week.
  Preparing American youth for productive futures in the challenging 
21st century will not be an easy undertaking, and it will not be 
accomplished by the efforts of any one segment of our population. 
Schools, parents and community leaders must combine their talents, 
resources and expertise to identify the contributions each can make 
toward our shared goal. Through collaboration, we can promote 
initiatives designed to enhance student success and support effective 
programs within school reform.
  School counseling programs are designed to help all students develop 
their educational, career and personal strengths and to become 
responsible and productive citizens. School counselors help create and 
organize these programs, as well as provide appropriate counselor 
interventions.
  As the administration and the Congress combine their efforts to 
improve the employability of young Americans, the school counselor 
takes on an even more valuable role in our society. These educational 
professionals assist students, teachers, parents, and administrators 
and provide comprehensive in-school programs.
  To ensure career success, school counselors work with students to 
develop a comprehensive career plan which targets high school 
completion and exploration of postsecondary education opportunities. 
They assist in establishing school-to-work transition programs, develop 
positive attitudes toward work and encourage work experience 
activities. School counselors help young people acquire skills for 
planning, monitoring, and managing career development as well as 
develop transferable skills to facilitate changes throughout their 
lifetime. They also help students to fully explore their educational 
and career opportunities and develop excellent communication and 
cooperative work skills.
  In light of the recent passage of the School-To-Work Opportunities 
Act and the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, the school counselor will 
take on an even more important role in helping move America's youth 
toward economic security and improving their economic opportunities.

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