In addition to the career development curriculum, the advocacy groups are structured to help students increase self-esteem and understanding of themselves. As part of this program, teachers make a yearly home visit to provide positive feedback to parents on their children. The Career Guidance and Counseling Department publishes a handbook and guide to inform all stakeholders of the different programs and graduation plan options available. The counselors meet with parents to discuss the best educational plan for their children. Counseling and career guidance are provided also to parents and other family members upon request.
Parents help in the counseling office.
All counselors are responsible for some training during inservice and teacher meetings. It is maintained in the Career Development Center. One of the counselors is very involved with this program by motivating students to complete the high school minimum requirements. Restructuring is still occurring at Zapata High School. A customized graduation plan for all students focuses on the level of performance in math, reading and writing scores and teacher recommendations.