Survey finds school counselors need more time with students

Indiana counselors report positive influences on academic achievement, student life

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Media Contacts:
Avon Waters, 317.234.4703, awaters@doe.in.gov
Lynelle A. Miller, 317.232.6614, lamiller@doe.in.gov

A recent survey released by the Indiana Department of Education for National School Counseling Week (February 4-8) found that 88 percent of Indiana school counselors feel they are effective in helping students despite a general consensus that they need more time to work with students one-on-one.

The independent survey, “2007 Survey of Indiana School Counselors” was prepared for the Indiana Department of Education by the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy (CEEP) at Indiana University to gauge how to best address counselor needs to help Indiana students.

“The survey allows us to see the positive impact school counselors across the state are making to support student success while allowing us to pinpoint their growing needs,” said Reed. “We have built a strong school counseling tradition in Indiana, but we must always strive to improve.”

Where we are

Indiana has the highest number of nationally recognized school counseling programs by the American School Counselor Association of any state in the country through the Indiana Gold Star School Counseling Initiative. Over 100 Indiana elementary, middle and high schools have received the gold Star Award and 49 have received the National “Recognized ASCA Model Program” or RAMP Award.

The CEEP survey was devised to gauge the current status of Indiana school counselors. Here following are highlights from the survey:

The average Indiana counselor caseload is 560 students per counselor, the 10th highest in the nation, according to the American School Counselor Association.
45 percent of school counselors surveyed said their caseload increased last year.
36 percent (more than one third) of counselors surveyed reported opportunities to work one-on-one with students decreased over the same period.
Counselors cited coordination of testing or preparation for testing as the biggest obstacle to getting more face-time with students.

The study confirms what Indiana high school counselors say: they need more time with students in order to help them succeed in school.

Kathy Pivonka, President, Indiana Association of College Admission Counseling (IACAC) said, “It’s imperative that Indiana students are given time, resources and guidance they need to achieve their postsecondary goals. School counselors can make a significant impact, but they must be allowed the time with students to make it happen.”

Increasing the positive impact on students

Results show that 88 percent of counselors are pleased with services, resources and support provided by the Indiana Department of Education and that 80 percent feel supported by their local administration. However, given more time to work with students one-on-one, school counselors feel they could dramatically increase the impact they have on student achievement, retention and conflict resolution.

"Student to counselor ratios really matter in making sure all kids find academic success in school,” said Dr. Charlene Alexander, President, Indiana School Counselor Association (ISCA). “Indiana's Gold Star initiative propels school counseling programs towards serving all students, but having enough time to reach each student is a critical component."

The study found that counselors in Indiana affect student lives in many positive ways. The survey found when counselors spend time with students:

90 percent felt they made a moderate to significant positive impact in student achievement
86 percent felt they had a moderate or significant help for students resolving conflicts
94 percent felt they were helpful to students in preparing students for higher education

Due to the counselor-to-student ratio, often the help comes by holding group sessions. Two-thirds of schools offer students help in groups for achievement, ISTEP+, character education, citizenship, conflict resolution, divorce support, grief, pregnancy/parenting skills, study skills, drug/alcohol and teen mother father issues.

Online resources

To review results from the complete survey, go online to www.doe.in.gov/schoolcounseling. Also available online is a video download featuring school counseling experts and students discussing the impact of counseling on student life, academics and preparation for higher education.

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