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Texas Counselors Are Heard in First Annual National Survey from the College Board

Austin, Texas
Nov
17

Texas Capitol Complex - John H. Reagan Building, RM 140

105 W. 15th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

The College Board Advocacy & Policy Center’s National Office for School Counselor Advocacy (NOSCA) discussed the findings of its recently released first annual National Survey of School Counselors in Austin, Texas. Over 120 attendees joined Representative Joaquin Castro and education champions from across the state to find out how counselors feel about their mission, their role and the support they receive from their schools and districts. The survey, funded by The Kresge Foundation and in collaboration with Civic Enterprises and Peter D. Hart Research Associates, provides the most comprehensive research and data available on school counselors, with over 5,300 middle and high school counselors surveyed.

Bringing together school counseling leaders, policymakers, educators, advocates and students, the event celebrated Texas policies supporting school counselors and discussed what is needed most to advance college readiness and success for all students. The dynamic panel discussed the significance of the counselor survey findings; the role of school counselors in education reform; and future implications. Counselors throughout the state implored their state representatives and senators to advance policies that would give them the leadership, training and support to help all students graduate college and career ready.

Watch the event .

Visit the new NOSCA website to learn the findings from the National Survey of School Counselors and find free resources for college and career readiness counseling.

Speakers included:

  • Gaston Caperton, President of the College Board, Former Governor of West Virginia
  • Joaquin Castro, State Representative, Texas
  • Brenda Bautsch, Policy Specialist, National Conference of State Legislatures
  • Michael Heintze, Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management and Marketing, Texas State University
  • Michael Kaprelian, President, Texas School Counselor Association
  • Silvia Lopez, Executive Director, Counseling Services, Dallas Independent School District
  • Patricia Martin, Assistant Vice President, NOSCA, College Board
  • Raymund Paredes, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education

Quotes:

Gaston Caperton “School counselors are an integral part of our national strategy to raise the college completion rate and reclaim America’s place as the global leader in education. Counselors are the wide-angle lens bringing together academics, extracurriculars, family life and career planning to match the right students to the right colleges. Their work is invaluable, and it’s time we start treating it that way.”
– Gaston Caperton

Joaquin Castro “In order for students to truly succeed in college and into their career of choice, our nation must reinvest in a public education infrastructure of reliable resources and guidance. Counselors are crucial to innovating and improving the infrastructure needed to rebuild a national education system that will adequately prepare our youth to lead in a globally competitive job market.” – Joaquin Castro

Paul Weaver “School counseling is the connection between high school and college. Counselors prepare, encourage, and support students making the multiple decisions required to leave childhood and venture into the world of higher academics. Our role is one of assistance, guidance, and individual attention. We serve with pride and look forward to the success of all students.” – Paul Weaver

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