Comments on: National Survey Suggests Students Gain Little Help from High School Counselors in College Search

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:09:17 +0000

This is a sad but true reality. Most students I speak with tell me that their guidance counselor at school works in a reactive way and deals with the “at risk” students and in terms of the college process, only has time for the extremely high performers. Unfortunately it is not solely the fault of the school counselor who does have way too many things on his/her plate due to budget cuts and department structure.

However, the school counselor master degree programs around the country are focusing on therapy-based counseling. I completed my program a few short years ago from a very reputable, private institution and was not required to take one class on the college admissions/application process. I suggested to my program director back then to have elective courses where students interested in high school counseling could take courses that pertain to them, students interested in middle school counseling could take courses necessary for their job, etc. I think many people graduating from these required programs are in fact not really prepared to deal with the large caseloads and specific work required of them.

I am starting the UCLA certification this Spring and am very excited to FINALLY learn about the things I had been waiting to learn throughout my 2 years of graduate school.

I don’t think that large case loads and increased responsibility can be an excuse any longer. I want to be clear that I am not blaming the school counselors though, I think that the school systems need to re-evaluate how their students are receiving college admissions guidance, advice and assistance. Separate the departments or contract out independent professionals like they do in elementary schools across the country for things like reading (its not that the classroom teachers are unable to teach reading, its just that there are specialists who can focus on providing that critical piece of learning in a different way – they can just focus on that!) – the college process is very similar and specific in that way!

Students would then feel that they are getting the proper attention and necessary help for their social and emotional issues while also feeling secure and confident about the help they are also receiving throughout the college admissions process.

Thanks!

By: Ellen Gaddie

Ellen Gaddie — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:46:18 +0000

One important aspect of this discussion is the fact that so many school boards across the nation are facing severe budget cuts. No longer are counselors afforded the “luxury” of smaller caseloads, professional training and the like–even in the so-called wealthier suburbs where I live. Our school districts in south Orange County, namely Saddleback and Capistrano, are mired in budget woes and and are having 9 and 8 furlough days, respectively, to help close their budget gaps. Class sizes are increasing again. And, cuts across the board are routine. There is no money for a lot of things educators, informed parents, and IECA members know are best for children.
Our HS counselors are overworked and have enormous caseloads averaging 500-650 students. Our average high school student population rate is 3,000 kids. Our counselor’s job has been reduced to watching out and helping the kids who are in danger of not graduating and ensuring they get enough credits to do so. Never mind that the credits/classes aren’t preparing them for the possibility of 4-year university upon graduation. over 50% of student in our “wealthy” area fail to have the classes they need to go straight to 4-year colleges. You an only imagine the impact that is having on our community colleges.
There is precious little time left for our counselors to talk to the other student about college and give advice and guidance. Further, many parents in our area under the mistaken impression that applying to college is the same as it was for them 20-30 years ago in our state. It’s not. It is highly competitive. An even then, once in the classes may not be available and the time to graduate is extended by semesters and even up to two years in the highly selective schools!
It all boils down to money and priorities, and even the most conscientious school board only has so much money to spread around.
-A parent’s perspective

By: Kimberly Davis

Kimberly Davis — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:23:41 +0000

As a former School Counselor, the results in this study saddened me because I hate to think of my former students walking out of high school with no contact or connection with me. However, I firmly believe that it is next to impossible for a School Counselor to fulfill the many roles they are often assigned. How can the same person who spends months dealing with the logistical and organizational nightmare of the master schedule also be an effective advocate for the struggling drug-using student while also being a knowledgeable and careful college advisor while also being the SSD contact person and weekend SAT administrator? The skill sets are not necessarily overlapping, although I have encountered dedicated and exceptional counselors who manage to do all those assignments well. The exception rather than the rule. What graduate program prepares any counselor to do any of those jobs well? I feel like advocating a smaller caseload, however critical to the survival of school counselors, does not address the root of the problem. Why not go all out and advocate for counselors to be able to do each job the way it should be done, by reassigning those tasks that do not need a counseling background, such as registration, scheduling, test administration, so that counselors can actually spend their time with their students. I could even get behind the idea of separating the guidance roles from the college counseling roles, although with some hesitation. I hope that this study prompts us nationally to ask what we want and need specifically of trained school counselors, rather than continuing to use that office as the dumping ground for all the mismatched tasks that no one else can or will do.

By: Emily Snyder

Emily Snyder — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:12:32 +0000

For the last few months, the standing members of the College Committee have been discussing ways to effectively reach out to school counselors to work together collaboratively and to show our support for the work that they do. Yesterday afternoon, in our monthly conference call, we agreed to support the recommendations that Mark has put forth. We encourage all IECA members to stand in unison as we collectively advocate with our school-based colleagues for systemic changes that will benefit all students.

By: Mark Sklarow

Mark Sklarow — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:34:24 +0000

Suzanne, an interesting suggestion… I’ll pass this on to the Education & Training Committee, along with your generous offer to assist!

By: suzanne f. scott

suzanne f. scott — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:11:43 +0000

Mark – So well said – you have accurately outlined what should be a right for every high school student. How I wish we could pass a law to see that it is. There is this misperception that 17-18 year olds can accurately sort out the plethora of information out there in directories, the web and elsewhere … that tends to overwhelm me at times.

Had you considered adapting the summer institute for school counselors, or developing a shorter program for them? Would be happy to work on a committee to develop such an offering.