Abstract
Purpose. This study was designed to determine the extent to which Senate Bill 813 (Hughes-Hart) tenth grade counseling programs have been implemented across California according to legislative intent, and to determine school officials' perceptions regarding the success of the programs introduced. Methodology. Descriptive research was used. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to principals who were selected from a standard representative sample of 50 public high schools. This sample was obtained from the California State Department of Education. The questionnaire measured the degree of emphasis placed on and perceived success of 16 items or "elements" of the legislative intent. The respondent's overall assessment of the success of the tenth grade counseling program was also measured. The 16 elements may be found in the California State Department Program Advisory guidelines. Nonparametric statistics were selected and computed to analyze the research questions. Findings. Major statistical outcomes showed: (1) The State Department of Education guidelines for the Hughes-Hart tenth grade counseling program across California were perceived to be successfully implemented. (2) There was a significant relationship for each element between the high schools' emphasis with an "element" and success rate. (3) School officials universally perceived the program as successful. (4) Schools that rated the program as providing "great overall success" emphasized counseling for high risk students, counselor/parent/student conferences, and out of school hours counseling. (5) Large enrollment high schools (over 2000 students) emphasized counseling for underrepresented groups, dropout remediation, Regional Occupational Programs, and business participation in career guidance activities. Recommendations. Further studies should be conducted in California public schools on the effects of counseling programs to reduce "high risk" students in the sixth and eighth grades and reducing counselor-student ratios in high schools.