THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 8, 1995 TAG: 9508080312
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Metro Brief
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
The Virginia Board of Education will hold a public hearing tonight on proposed changes in rules for school guidance and counseling programs.
The hearing will be at 7 p.m. at Lake Taylor High School, 1384 Kempsville Road.
The proposed rules, which would apply to all public schools, require annual notice to parents outlining a school's guidance program, including the type of counseling services available and techniques used.
As proposed, schools could not provide individual counseling that involved personal, emotional or ``sensitive'' issues without written parental consent.
But guidance counselors, without parental consent, could continue to meet with students to discuss ``incidental or normal developmental concerns, for follow-up, and to assess a situation for possible referral to counseling.''
Gov. George F. Allen tried unsuccessfully in the last General Assembly to get legislation passed to require parental consent for all types of counseling except that dealing strictly with academics.
The counseling issue, along with sex education, has become a politically charged issue that focuses on parental rights in public schools.
KEYWORDS: PUBLIC SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR COUNSELING by CNB