Plano Independent School District director of counseling Sandra Aikins pointed out in a recent letter to the editor that "terminology used in reference to educational programs can sometimes be confusing." If that is so, it is deliberate.

By contrast, I seek to be as clear as possible in my use of words. So, on the chance that Ms. Aikins was not the only reader who misunderstood me, let me explain what I mean by "universal counseling." Beginning in kindergarten, every student in the district attends weekly sessions with their school counselor. They attend as a group, and their teacher may or may not be present. Parental consent is neither sought nor required by the PISD.

These sessions may include the use of devices such as Duso the Dolphin, Pumsey the Dragon and certain relaxation techniques. Each of these is a self-described treatment method, yet PISD counselors are free to apply them to all students. Again, parental consent is not required by the district.

Ms. Aikins, understandably, did not address the use of these devices. She is no doubt aware, though, that in a fairly controversial decision a few years ago, the school board voted down a request from parents to forbid these practices. And, while district guidelines do not require the incorporation of specific psychological techniques, school counselors can and do use them.

If the counseling program is really not controversial, the district's unwillingness to publicize it is curious. For example, in the official Handbook for Kindergarten Parents, there is absolutely no mention of counselors, counseling or guidance. In the official My Elementary Handbook, while counseling is briefly mentioned, there is nothing to indicate that children are sent to the counselor on a weekly basis, beginning in kindergarten. Even the more detailed Parent/Student Policy Guide fails to mention counseling, even in the list of special programs. As a result, many parents do not even realize that their children meet regularly with the school counselor.

Perhaps a few questions from parents are in order. For example: Why is there no districtwide, standardized counseling curriculum? Why is there virtually no mention of counseling in district publications? Why does the district allow the use of psychological techniques by counselors? How is this policy going to be changed in light of Section 26.009 of the Texas Education Code of 1995?

Since there is no standard, districtwide curriculum, parents might further request to see the written counseling curriculum for their own children's school. Under Section 33.004 (b) of the state code, any materials not available for such review, at the beginning of the school year, "may not be used."

One of the four goals of Ms. Aikins' program (to use her educational terminology) is to "assist students to develop life coping skills." If that only means instilling patriotism, as Aikins' letter suggested, why not call it that? Another element of the program is "individual planning which assists students in monitoring their own development." It seeks further to "provide students the opportunity to grow emotionally and socially." These are not academic goals, and they have nothing to do with citizenship, or with the morals resolution adopted in August of 1994. Instead, they express a desire to become involved in the most personal aspects of a child's growth, development and values.

In 1962, Friedrich Hayek warned of the likelihood that public schools would one day incorporate psychological techniques. As Hayek pointed out, though, "...knowledge of what we can make of human beings if we can control the essential elements of their development, though it will offer a frightful temptation, does not necessarily mean that we shall by its use improve upon the human being who has been allowed to develop freely."

What Hayek's argument makes clear is that support for the sort of developmental, psychological curriculum the PISD currently seeks to expand rests a single basic assumption: that a controlled result is invariably superior to an uncontrolled one. I disagree. I further disagree with the PISD's belief that "parents...look to counselors to lead the way in responding to social and emotional needs."

We do agree on one thing, though. Ms. Aikins says that "it is important that parents know about counseling sessions and give permission for their children to attend." I hope then, that she will support my efforts to include information about counseling in the district's literature, and to replace the current, universal system with a voluntary one.