Follow-Up of ESEA Title III-Funded Elementary Guidance Programs.

Results of a followup study of 40 elementary guidance programs established with ESEA Title III funds in 1976 showed that the funding of the programs for one year had a significant impact: 32 of the 40 districts assumed the funding of the programs after the initial year of operation. The remaining eight districts reported that the programs had been very successful and effective but were discontinued after the initial year of funding due to lack of funding. The survey also showed that: (1) Most of the programs which were still in operation had expanded their staff and/or services. (2) Three districts which had discontinued the program due to lack of funds had included elementary guidance in their district's long-range plan. (3) Twenty-three of the 29 districts responding to the mail questionnaire had assumed the entire funding of the elementary guidance program; four of the districts were financing the program with district and Title IV funds; one was using all Title IV funds; and one was using district and Title I funds. (4) The counselors were very enthusiastic about the program and reported strong support by the administration, teachers, community and students. (5) The counselors felt that the communication problems experienced during the initial year of operation had been resolved and that the major weakness of the program in 1979 was understaffing. Thus, their primary recommendation for the improvement of the programs was to expand the staff. (Author)