Student-to-School Counselor Ratios: Understanding the History and Ethics Behind Professional Staffing Recommendations and Realities

• In Event: Navigating Professional Issues in Counseling and Education

Abstract

School counselors play a critical role in supporting students’ academic progress and mental health. This manuscript synthesizes evidence for lower student-to-school counselor ratios in U.S. public education, and then draws on empirical data to highlight deficiencies in current federal, state, and local policy. Drawing on a comprehensive historical review and existing research, we first establish the integral role of school counselors and the notable benefits of reduced student-to-counselor ratios. We then analyze national data to identify understaffing as well as marked disparities across states and districts, with the most understaffed districts often serving higher percentages of low-income students and students of color. We propose recommendations for future research and strategies for enhancing counselor staffing and student outcomes.

Authors

• Carleton Brown, University of Texas - El Paso

• David S. Knight, University of Washington