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Recommendation Two
Improve middle school and high school college counseling
Recommendation documents
 

Recommendation Two

We Recommend...

that states and localities move toward professional norms for staffing middle and high school counseling offices and that colleges and universities collaborate actively to provide college information and planning services to all students (with a special focus on low-income students).

Core indicators for this recommendation
  • Student-to-Counselor Ratio
    Most Recent Estimate
    As of 2008
    457:1
    is the average student-to-counselor ratio in the United States.
    10:1
    2007-08
    View details for this indicator
  • Statewide Comprehensive School Counseling Programs
    Most Recent Estimate
    As of 2009
    70.6%
    36 states have a statewide comprehensive school counseling program.
    7.8ppts
    2008-09
    View details for this indicator
  • Professional Development for Secondary School Counselors
    Most Recent Estimate
    As of 2009
    31.2%
    of secondary schools require counselors to participate in professional development.
    8.7ppts
    2008-09
    View details for this indicator
  • Percentage of Counselors’ Time Spent on Tasks
    Most Recent Estimate
    As of 2009
    26%
    Counselors spend 26 percent of their time on postsecondary admission counseling.
    2.8ppts
    2008-09
    View details for this indicator
  • Eight Components of College and Career Readiness Counseling
    Most Recent Estimate
    View details for this indicator
 
   
Washington
developed Navigation 101, a middle and high school counseling program which matches each student to an adviser — a teacher, counselor, principal or social worker — who works closely with students from grades six through 12 on college and career planning.
New Mexico
passed a measure requiring that all students complete a Next Step Plan, at the end of each grade, eight through 11, that sets a course schedule and academic and career goals, and helps students think about and plan for their future.
Colorado
created the School Counselor Corps Grant which provides $5 million in grants to increase the number of counselors in middle and high schools. Grants are also meant to increase the quality of counseling and the quantity of services provided.

How We Assemble Our Indicators

  • The indicators are rigorous
  • The indicators are measureable on a regular basis
  • The indicators have the ability to be disaggregated
Learn about the commission’s criteria to select indicators