I am writing to you today to bring awareness to the lack of employment rates of school counselors in New Jersey. According to the American School Counselor Association, it is recommended that there is 1 counselor for every 250 students (ASCA). For the state of New Jersey, during the 2014-2015 school year, it was averaged that there were roughly 370 students per counselor (ASCA). That is over the recommended number by 120 students. While school counselors are incredible human beings, they are still just that: human beings. This clearly shows that each and every individual student is not receiving the proper time and commitment that they deserve. In 2015, there were promptly 1,400,579 students in New Jersey, and only 3,781 counselors. (ASCA) If New Jersey were to follow the 250 students per counselor ratio, this would mean that we would need a total of roughly 5,602 school counselors. Because we do not follow this ratio, though, we are short 1,821 counselors.
On behalf of students and the school counseling community, I am asking you to please help me petition to propose a bill stating that all New Jersey public school counselors are required to work with no more that 250 students each per year. If the number of students exceeds 250, then another school counselor must be hired to take on the remaining students, and so forth. Not only will this create almost 2,000 jobs in the state of New Jersey, but it will also promote the well being of students to a much greater degree. Each child deserves a fair opportunity for access to mental health counseling, and the tools are available to do so.
Thank you for your help!
