The "Put School Counselors Where They’re Needed Act" is a proposed law aimed at helping students in struggling schools by providing more counselors. This bill seeks to place certified counselors in high-poverty schools with low graduation rates to support students' academic and personal success.
What This Bill Does
The "Put School Counselors Where They’re Needed Act" is designed to help students in schools that are having a tough time keeping kids from dropping out. It changes an existing law, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, to create a special project. This project will give money to schools that need it the most—those with high dropout rates and low graduation numbers.
Here's how it works: The bill allows the Secretary of Education to give out grants to local school districts. These grants are competitive, meaning schools have to apply and show why they need the money. The funds are specifically for hiring more school counselors who are certified by the state. These counselors will help students with things like academic advising, college and career counseling, and preventing dropouts.
The schools that can apply for these grants are those where the graduation rate is below the state average. The counselors hired through this program must work full-time and serve at least 250 students each. The schools also need to contribute 20% of the funding themselves. The project is set to run for five years, and during this time, reports on its success will be sent to Congress.
Why It Matters
This bill could make a big difference for students in high-poverty areas who are at risk of dropping out. By having more counselors available, these students can get the help they need to stay in school and graduate. This can lead to better job opportunities and higher earnings in the future.
The schools that benefit from this bill are often in low-income neighborhoods where students face many challenges. By focusing on these "troubled" schools, the bill aims to provide targeted support where it's needed most. This can help reduce dropout rates and improve the overall quality of education for students who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Key Facts
- Cost/Budget Impact: No specific cost estimate is available, and the bill relies on future congressional appropriations.
- Timeline for Implementation: The project would begin upon enactment and run for five years, with evaluations reported to Congress.
- Number of People Affected: Primarily impacts students in high-poverty, low-graduation secondary schools, along with school counselors and local educational agencies.
- Key Dates: Introduced on May 21, 2025, but currently stalled in committee.
- Other Important Details: The bill is a reintroduction of a similar effort from the 116th Congress, showing ongoing concern for dropout rates in Title I schools.
- Counselor-to-Student Ratio: The bill aims for a ratio of 1 counselor per 250 students, addressing current shortages.
- Focus on "Troubled" Schools: Only schools with graduation rates below the state average are eligible for the grants.
Arguments in Support
- Reduces dropout rates: By placing counselors in schools with high dropout rates, the bill aims to keep more students on track to graduate.
- Addresses counselor shortages: Many schools don't have enough counselors, and this bill helps fill that gap, especially in low-income areas.
- Improves student outcomes: Counselors provide essential services like academic advising and personal support, which can lead to better academic and life outcomes for students.
- Supports equity in education: The focus on Title I schools aligns with efforts to close achievement gaps for disadvantaged students.
- Pilot project approach: The bill allows for testing and evaluation before expanding, ensuring that the approach is effective.
Arguments in Opposition
- Increased federal spending: Critics worry about the cost of new grants, especially without a clear return on investment.
- Bureaucratic challenges: The competitive grant process and reporting requirements might be burdensome for smaller school districts.
- Limited focus: The bill only targets secondary schools with low graduation rates, potentially ignoring other areas in need.
- Potential funding conflicts: The new program might compete with existing education programs for funding.
- Implementation challenges: The requirement for schools to match 20% of the funds could exclude the poorest districts.