CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — We’ve reported on the need for more teachers, bus drivers and other key personnel in schools – and now, there’s a new look at the student-to-school counselor ratio.
The American School Counselor Association, or ASCA, has reviewed federal data, and found the U.S. average is 385 students for every 1 counselor. ASCA recommends a ratio of 250-to-1. That number is based on studies that ASCA says show smaller student-to-counselor ratios support higher attendance, test scores, GPA and graduation rates – especially with the post-pandemic concerns about student mental health and school violence.
There’s good news for New York though: it’s student-to-school counselor ratio improved the most of any state.
New York’s numbers are pretty good, especially at the high school level, they meet the 250 – there are a lot of things we can do to deal with the school counselor shortage. We need better pay. We need respect for the role. We need safe school environments,” director of research and marketing Angie Hickman told CBS 6.
Hickman says since a master’s degree is needed to be a school counselor, making that process more affordable would go a long way in improving staffing levels.
New York State now stands at 331-to-1.
