MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State Department of Education has released a draft of a new model for school counseling – the first update in more than two decades – that officials say better reflects how schools operate today and gives parents a formal role in how students are guided through academics, careers and well-being.

The draft Comprehensive School Counseling and Guidance Model, discussed during Thursday’s State Board of Education work session, is online and available for public comment through Nov. 10 . A revised version will follow for another review before the board votes in December.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey told board members the current counseling plan – approved in 2003 – is basically unusable.

“Essentially, we don’t have anything right now,” he said.

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