In case you haven't heard:

Last spring a report commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and published by the Public Agenda elevated the concern that students are not getting the support they need when it comes to choosing a college or career or getting financial aid for college.  The report, titled Can I Get a Little Advice Here?, detailed the findings from telephone interviews that were conducted from May 7 – June 24, 2009, with 614 young adults aged 22 to 30 years old who have experience with some post-secondary education. Key findings included the following:

The American School Counselor (ASCA) responded to this report with a statement that was included in the Public Agenda's website.

In addition the following post was published on the ASCA Scene, a social networking resource for school counselors:

Talking Points in Response to Public Agenda Study: "Can I Get a Little Advice Here"

The recent report ("Can I Get a Little Advice Here") by Public Agenda brings to light the challenges school counselors face and how those challenges ultimately affect students. The report presents a good opportunity to effect substantial and needed change in the education system.

The recent report ("Can I Get a Little Advice Here") by Public Agenda reflects what we as school counselors have known for years, the serious shortage of school counselors  threatens our ability to serve all students to the best of our abilities. The lack of meaningful interaction between students and school counselors is related to decreased enrollment in postsecondary education.

Our job as school counselors is to help students improve academic achievement, career and postsecondary education planning and personal/social development for every student.  Unfortunately non-counseling duties often limit our ability to provide students with the assistance they need.

The facts are clear: the ratio of students to school counselors is too high.  The recommended ratio is 250 students  to one school counselor, but the current K-12 national average is 460 to 1 and in some districts, it's as high as 1,000 to 1.

Through the American School Counseling Association and (the state school counselor association), we will continue to work with policymakers, education leaders and other organizations to place more certified professional school counselors in our schools and to allow us to do what we were trained and hired to do.