Question

The principal at a middle school asks the school counselor to establish a social-skills group to resolve a dispute that two groups of sixth-grade students have been having for several months. Which of the following is the first step the counselor should take?

A. Inform the students that, as a result of their continuing conflicts, they will be required to participate in a social-skills group
B. Inform the students' parents or guardians that the principal has required their children to participate in a social-skills group
C. Contact each student's parent or guardian to discuss the purpose of the group and to request permission for the student to attend
D. Begin the group immediately and ask the teachers of the students to inform the parents or guardians that their children are required to participate in the group

Answer 1

The counselor must first contact each student's parent or guardian to discuss the social-skills group's purpose and ask for permission to include their child in the group.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first step a counselor should take when establishing a social-skills group to resolve a dispute among sixth-grade students is to contact each student's parent or guardian to discuss the purpose of the group and to request permission for the student to attend. This not only ensures that parents are informed and involved in the decision-making process regarding their children's education and social development but also adheres to ethical and legal standards within the school setting. Before any intervention involving minors begins, parental or guardian consent is typically required, especially for programs that fall outside of the normal curriculum.