Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Department of Education is issuing $14.7 million to 40 school districts in 20 states for school counselors and wrap-around services.
- Elementary and middle schools were the main target of this round of grants, which will help schools hire qualified mental-health professionals.
- According to the department's press release, "Research shows that having adequate counseling services can help reduce the number of disciplinary referrals in schools, improve student attendance and academic performance and enhance development of social skills."
Dive Insight:
"School-based counseling programs are a wonderful resource for students whose families may not be able to take advantage of outside services or programs," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is quoted as saying in the press release. "These grants will allow school districts to hire more professionals and provide additional services to those students who are struggling with mental-health and emotional issues, and their families."
While the Obama administration has been known more for its accountability measures, this move highlights an effort to recognize some of the other more systemic, and harder to fix, issues affecting student achievement. Still, the U.S. Department of Education didn't move away from its competitive format with this initiative, since only 40 districts in less than half the nation's states will reap the benefits.