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2017

The Virginia School Counselor Association hosted Legislative

Day for the 2017 session on Opening Day this year, January 11, 2017.

The main focus of the organization was to educate and advocate for

the Board of Education proposed updates to the Standards of Quality

and Standards of Accreditation, especially relating to the changes in

instructional, administrative, and support personnel.

The staff ratio for School Counselors should be adjusted to the

American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommendation

of 1 counselor for every 250 students in grades K-12. With current

SOQ standards requiring approximately one school counselor

for every 425 students, a Virginia school counselor currently has

approximately 35 minutes per student per year to spend on individual

student planning. Empirical research studies show that students who

have greater access to school counselors via lower student-school

counselor ratios have stronger school attendance, are more likely to

graduate, are more likely to apply to and enroll in college (including

first generation students), and show greater improvements in student

learning, behavior and mental health.

In the2017 session, SenatorMcPikeproposedabill thatwould require

School Counselors to complete training in the recognition ofmental health

disorder and behavioral distress, including depression, trauma, violence,

youth suicide, and substance abuse when they seek initial licensure and

renewal of a license in the state of Virginia. At Legislative Day VSCA

members were able to talk to Senator McPike about this proposed bill and

share the need for this training to be evidenced based and meaningful to

School Counselors throughout the state.

VSCA members met with many Senators and Delegates during

Legislative Day and will continue to educate and advocate for the

SOQ standards to be changed throughout the bill. The organization is

already making plans for Legislative Day 2018 and hopes that a bill

is proposed to adjust the School Counselor ratios to 1 counselor for

every 250 students in grades K-12.

Renée Zando is the Director of School Counseling at Hermitage

High School in Henrico County and serves as the Government

Relations Chair of the Virginia School Counselor Association.

VSCA Legislative Day 2017

By Renée Zando