Guidance and Career Education

Choices Into Action, Guidance and Career Education Program Policy for Ontario Elementary and Secondary Schools, 1999, is the basis for delivery of guidance and career education programs, grades 1 - 12, in the Toronto District School Board. By the end of secondary school, students are expected to:

  • understand the concepts related to lifelong learning, interpersonal relationships, responsible citizenship, and career planning;
  • have developed learning skills, social skills, a sense of social responsibility, and the ability to formulate and pursue educational and career goals;
  • apply this learning in their daily lives, both at school and in the larger community.

Guidance and Career Education is a school-wide program which:

  • provides all students with the opportunity to understand, develop and apply the concepts in three areas of learning: Student Development, Interpersonal Development and Career Development.
  • provides structures and processes which identify the unique needs of all students.
  • provides supportive settings, programs and resources to prepare students for life long learning and responsible citizenship in a global environment.

The Guidance and Career Education program is comprehensive, developmental and applied.

The program offers learning opportunities with clearly stated competencies for grades 1 to 6, grades 7 and 8, and grades 9 to 12. The development of the competencies is accomplished through a range of program delivery components including the Ontario curriculum, orientation and exit programs, the annual education plan, academic and career portfolios, the teacher-adviser program, career exploration activities, workshops, seminars, and small groups, mentorship programs, peer assistance programs and individual assistance and short-term counselling.

The Guidance and Career Education program is based on a team approach.

There are specific roles and responsibilities for principals, teachers, teacher-advisers, students, parents, community partners and qualified guidance personnel in planning, delivering and evaluating the program.

School guidance counsellors coordinate proactive and responsive, direct and indirect, program and services to students, staff and parents/guardians.

Program evaluation is an integral component in implementing all aspects of the Guidance and Career Education program.

The program is evaluated on an ongoing basis to determine the effectiveness of the school's program plan.

The program's effectiveness is determined by students' achievement of competencies, ongoing communication with parents and community partners, and formal program evaluation through the Program Effectiveness Survey beginning Spring, 2004.

See additional information for Choices Into Action.