Senators Collins, Murray Announce Resolution Designating this Week “National School Counseling Week”

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Senate has unanimously approved a resolution, authored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA), designating February 5 through February 9 as “National School Counseling Week.”  The resolution seeks to increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in the United States.  Recognizing the work of school counselors is especially important as schools across the country face budgetary pressures and are often forced to make difficult cuts to school counseling.

“School counselors across the country play an important role in our education system.  They help students focus on academic, social, and career development so that they can achieve their goals and become successful members of society,” said Senator Collins.  “This resolution recognizes the dedicated and compassionate school counselors that encourage increased academic, personal, social, and career achievement.”

“School counselors play an important role in our students’ academic journey, providing students with guidance and support to graduate, continue their education, or begin their careers and lead successful and fulfilling lives,” said Senator Murray. “Unfortunately, school counselors are often among the first positions to be eliminated when school budgets are cut, so it is critical we recognize the dedication and hard work of school counselors and continue to fight to ensure school counselors have the support they need to help our students.”

The full text of the resolution follows:

Designating the week of February 5 through 9, 2018, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’.

Whereas the American School Counselor Association has designated February 5 through 9, 2018, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’;

Whereas school counselors have long advocated for equal opportunities for all students;

Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students by guiding students through academic, social and emotional, and career development;

Whereas personal and social growth results in increased academic achievement;

Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that students are ready for both college and careers;

Whereas school counselors play a vital role in making students aware of opportunities for financial aid and college scholarships;

Whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate efforts to foster a positive school climate, resulting in a safer learning environment for all students;

Whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma as well as tragedies in their communities and the United States;

Whereas students face myriad challenges every day, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, the deployment of family members to serve in conflicts overseas, and school violence;

Whereas a school counselor is one of the few professionals in a school building who is trained in both education and social and emotional development;

Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors are often misunderstood;

Whereas the school counselor position is often among the first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints;

Whereas the national average ratio of students to school counselors is 482 to 1, almost twice the 250 to 1 ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and other organizations; and

Whereas the celebration of National School Counseling Week will increase awareness of the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate - designates the week of February 5 through 9, 2018, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’; and encourages the people of the United States to observe National School Counseling Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the role school counselors play in schools and the community at large in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.