Murray, Collins Announce Resolution Designating this Week “National School Counseling Week”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a resolution designating February 6^th through February 10^th, 2012 as “National School Counseling Week.”  The resolution seeks to increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in the United States.  Recognizing the work of school counselors is especially important as schools across the country face budgetary pressures and are often forced to make difficult cuts to school counseling.

“School counseling is critical to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn and develop to their fullest potential,” said Senator Patty Murray. “Unfortunately, school counselors are often among the first positions to be eliminated when school budgets are cut, but they are more important now than ever before as families and students deal with the turbulent effects of this tough economic climate. I am proud to join with Senator Collins in introducing this resolution.”

“Our nation’s school counselors are a vital part of the education system.  They help students focus on academic, social, and career development so that they can achieve their goals and become successful members of society,” said Senator Susan Collins.  “It is important that we recognize the role school counselors play in encouraging increased academic, personal, social, and career achievement.”

The resolution was also sponsored by Senators Carl Levin (D-MI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Jim Webb (D-VA).

The full text of the resolution follows

Designating the week of February 6 through 10, 2012, as “National School Counseling Week”.

Whereas the American School Counselor Association has designated the week of February 6 through 10, 2012, as “National School Counseling Week”;

Whereas the importance of school counseling has been recognized through the inclusion of elementary- and secondary-school counseling programs in amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);

Whereas school counselors have long advocated that the education system of the United States must provide equitable opportunities for all students;

Whereas personal and social growth results in increased academic achievement;

Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding the students through academic, personal, social, and career development;

Whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate efforts to foster a positive school culture resulting in a safer learning environment for all students;

Whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma as well as tragedies in the community and the United States;

Whereas students face myriad challenges every day, including peer pressure, depression, the deployment of family members to serve in conflicts overseas, and school violence;

Whereas school counselors are one of the few professionals in a school building who are trained in both education and mental-health matters;

Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors are often misunderstood;

Whereas the school-counselor position is often among the first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints;

Whereas the national average ratio of students to school counselors of 459 to 1 is almost twice that of the ratio of 250 to 1 recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the American Counseling Association, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and other organizations; and

Whereas the celebration of National School Counseling Week would increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— designates the week of February 6 through 10, 2012, as “National School Counseling Week”; and encourages the people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the role school counselors play in the school and the community at large in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.