Guidance in Secondary Schools.

The aim of this study was to consider the extent to which guidance provision in secondary schools in Scotland met the guidance needs of pupils and their parents. The approach taken was to focus on experiences and perceptions of both consumers and providers of guidance, to relate their views to guidance processes, and to judge the situation in project schools against national and regional policies about guidance. A main finding of the research was the extent to which pupils' opinion and experience of guidance was dependent on the attitude and approach of individual guidance teachers. However, it is strongly suggested that the majority of guidance staff would operate more effectively if the conditions within which they work were further developed. Chapters are: (1) Introduction; (2) The research; (3) Profile of school staff; (4) guidance provision in the Project Schools (1993/94); (5) The guidance needs of pupils and their parents; (6) Guidance in practice: the teacher perspective; (7) Guidance in practice: the pupil perspective; (8) Guidance in practice: the parent perspective; (9) Careers and the World of Work; and (10) Discussion and issues. Appendices are: (1) Pupil Questionnaires and (2) Parent Questionnaires. (JBJ)