It is no secret that students need school counselors in their lives in order to succeed. This is especially true in schools where many of their students fall under the “high needs” category or are a part of another “special population”. In cities like Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke where an average of 70% of students fall under the high needs category there is even more of a need for school counselors (Massachusetts School and District Profiles, 2018). With so many students falling under this category it is evident that school counselors need to spend time with these students. When it comes down to it, school counselors just do not have time to accomplish all of the necessary aspects of their jobs. If a school counselor has 400 students and 280 (70%) of them are categorized as high needs how can this school counselor be expected to meet the needs of all 280 students? Then, this begs the question, what about the other 120 students who are not categorized as high needs? Do they ever meet their counselor? If so, do they see them enough to form a trusting relationship with them? While it may not seem like those other 120 students require the assistance of a school counselor based solely of off a needs assessment that is where we are wrong. Each and every student whether they be from Springfield or Beverly Hills or Houston needs a school counselor present during their school careers.
This is especially true at the high school level. Many times at the high school level a student’s experience can make or break whether or not they graduate. Picture this: a student who feels supported, asks for help because they are aware that staff in the building care about them and want them to succeed, and comes to school. Now, picture this: a student who does not feel supported by anyone at home let alone at school, is shut down and refuses to ask for help when they need it, and is chronically absent. What is the difference here? A school counselor who has a working relationship with these students who is available when they are needed. The school counselor who has 400 students is unavailable while the school counselor who has the suggested caseload of 250 students to 1 school counselor as suggested by ASCA is likely to be more available for all students, not just those who qualify as high needs (Student-to-School-Counselor Ratios, 2018).
While I am not discounting the time and attention that students with high needs require, I am trying to shed light on the fact that all students need at least a small amount of attention from the school counselor. It can be something as simple as acknowledging a student in the hallway or in the lunchroom. Or, as freshman meeting with students so they know who you are and that you are available to them if and when they require assistance. Many times just knowing someone is looking out for you or “tracking” you is beneficial.
While school counselors always play an essential role in schools I feel that a recent story of a student in Indiana who was murdered sheds light on just how important school counselors are. Breana Rouhselang was a 17-year-old cheerleader who at the time of her death was 6 months pregnant. She was killed by 16-year-old Aaron Trejo, who was alleged to be her boyfriend and the child’s father. He admitted to the attack by saying “I took action…I took her life” after he felt that she waited too long to have an abortion like he wanted (Derysh, 2018). It is horrible and devastating times like these that show the true importance for school counselors . While the high school will most likely have grief counselors available for students to talk to they do not stay at the school for very long. After the grief counselors leave who is to be the sounding board for the students and support them? The school counselors. While many of the students requiring support after such a tragic event may not be high needs they still need the support of the school counselor most likely for a substantial amount of time in the future.
A perfect example of why we need more school counselors is evident in the case of Breana Rouhselang. Although this is just one case where school counselors will be incredibly beneficial to students and even staff, it is a recent and gut wrenching reminder of exactly why we need this. While students who fall under the category of high needs require the time of the school counselor I honestly feel that students who do not fall under that umbrella need their time, too. While we may not be able to add more school counselors or lower their caseloads overnight I feel that this is an issue that at least deserves to be talked about. I as one person cannot fix this but with the help of others, we may be able make some positive changes in the world of school counseling. After all, we need to do what is best for our students and having school counselors who are available is what is best for everyone involved.
Taryn Canfield, Torrington, CT, WSU ’20
