Poster #30 - Effects of Counselor Caseload and Focus on Student College-Going Behaviors

• In Event: 15.062 - MTCC Poster Session One
  In Poster Session: 15.062-3 - Division E: Counseling Poster Session

Abstract

High school counselors play an increasingly important role in providing individualized postsecondary education information and assistance to students, yet student-to-counselor ratios continue to grow making this level of assistance challenging. This study examines the effect of counselor availability (caseloads) and college focus (percent of time spent on college preparation activities) on student college-going behavior within a causal framework. We find that nearly half of students attend schools with counselor caseloads above recommended levels and have counselors that spend less than the equivalent of one day/week on college activities. This combination, in contrast to the recommended caseloads and strong college focus, lessens the likelihood that students will talk with counselors about college and financial aid during their senior year.

Author

• Siri Warkentien, RTI International