For historical reasons, specialists in the several pupil services are likely to operate indepen dently of each other. But both common and pro fessional sense dictate that if there is one aspect of education which must make use of staff teaming to be maximally effective, pupil ser vices is that aspect.
Education in our country is committed to such fundamental concepts as an appreciation of the worth and dignity of the individual and recognition of his inherent rights of self-direction and choice. These ideas find particular reinforcement in the present great concern for the identification and development of the capabilities of all our pupils. Within this democratic philosophy of education the primary purpose of the school is instruction. All other functions are carried out to improve teaching and learning.The teacher has primary responsibility for instruction. In carrying on the tasks necessary for effective teaching, attention may be given to imparting knowledge, increasing skills, motivating interests, building attitudes, fostering appreciations and influencing aspirations. The school's program of education seeks to assist children.and youth to develop as far as possible in the direction of personal, social, civic and vocational competence.The successful accomplishment of such objectives is not a simple task. The teacher must have extensive knowledge of subject matter and effective methods of imparting it to pupils. In addition, effective teaching is dependent on a knowledge of the learner's personal characteristics, his health and physical condition, his background, interests, capabilities, values and aspirations. The classroom climate, including the interpersonal relationships therein, may serve to enhance or impede learning, depending on their quality and consistency.These areas of concern -providing a desirable climate for learning, knowing the pupil in order to teach him, assisting the learner toward adequate adjustment and in planning and choosing his courses of action -add a personnel dimension to the instructional efforts of the teacher. The first place, therefore, for coordination or teamwork of pupil personnel services is within the classroom as an important part of the role of the teacher.To illustrate -the teacher makes constant use of certain guidance techniques. She collects, interprets and uses information about each pupil. She talks with individual pupils and often with their parents and listens in turn, thus making use of interview techniques. She is of course in the first line of the school's attendance program, encouraging good attend-199
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