Honoring School Counselors Across the Country (Jan. 21, 2010)

Washington, DC - Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-39), introduced a congressional resolution today that will declare Feb. 1-5, 2010 "National School Counseling Week" to honor the important role school counselors play in the lives of students across the country. The student to counselor ratio is 475-1 nationally, and an appalling 945-1 in California.

"I introduce this resolution every year because the critical role school counselors play in helping the students of today become the accomplished adults of tomorrow never diminishes," said Rep. Linda Sánchez. "I hope that the celebration of National School Counseling Week reminds budget writers across California's school districts that students cannot achieve their best without the support of counselors to help them access tutoring services, choose the right classes and right college, and help them work through troubling emotional issues that threaten to derail their education. "

The bipartisan resolution, introduced along with Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), recognizes that school counselors have been integral in efforts to reduce student drop-out rates by helping identify and address problems early in a student's career. The American School Counselor Association also endorsed this important resolution.

This effort comes as a part of Rep. Sánchez' drive to make schools safe, provide additional counseling and student support in low-income schools, and to improve school environments for personal growth and academic achievement.

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