Article archive / March 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 7. Source pages: 8.
Fo Through testimony from school counselors, counselors, Louisiana Association of Principals, Louisiana State Superintendents, and others, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) decided against removing language from a regulation that maintains a ratio of one school counselor for every 450 students at a January meeting of BESE.
Members of the Louisiana School Counseling Association along with members of the Louisiana Counseling Association urged the board to maintain levels of counselors in the schools. BESE member Lottie Beebe, objected to the reduction saying it was ill advised at a time with serious concerns about bullying, student mental health, and safety.
A memo email from leaders of the counselors’ groups said, “Positive messages that focused on students to BESE members, newspaper editorials, and to Superintendent John White, are largely responsible for preventing the proposed changes.”
However, an amendment was offered with would allow some schools to bypass the required ratio if they are “capable of providing academic guidance, postsecondary counseling, and personal developmental support through alternate means.” The amended statement is required to go out for public comment.
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