THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 28, 1994 TAG: 9411250368
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
I wish to express displeasure with proposed state guidelines to redefine guidance programs of Virginia public schools.
As a parent of one graduate and two current public-school students, I have been more than satisfied with the performance of my children's guidance counselors. A modification of counselor's flexibility would severely restrict positive relationships. Confidentiality with a trusted adult (often other than a parent) is essential to a child's growth and maturity.
Having to obtain written consent for counseling services would deny many youngsters the opportunity they so desperately need to have immediate and, frequently, ongoing confidential dialogue with a trained, trusted adult.
Also, I do not understand the objection to the currently successful system of ``opt-out'' for guidance and other school programs that offer students and/or parents a legitimate choice whether to participate.
Requiring parental consent for participation on an ``opt-in' basis would require excessive, unnecessary time and paperwork and limit the participation to those (few) children whose parents are active participants in school programs. It would deny meaningful opportunities to students whose parents generally do not participate in their children's education, students among the most needful of these services.
The changes proposed by the State Department of Education would render guidance virtually ineffectual and set back the progress that has been made over the past generation of schoolchildren. I hope the guidelines will not be adopted.
PAMELA J. SELF
Norfolk, Nov. 18, 1994 by CNB