Dive Brief:
- In high-poverty schools where students need the guidance offered by counselors the most, especially when it comes to college decision-making, massive student-to-counselor ratios limit the amount of help counselors can give.
- While the average caseload in schools is 491:1 — nearly double what is recommended — The Atlantic reports nonprofit organizations are stepping in to fill the gap when it comes to college advising by offering data-driven strategies that consider college access and success.
- In schools, overworked counselors often miss out on opportunities for professional development, but some cities and states are addressing that, and the Every Student Succeeds Act makes some money available for counselors — though it doesn’t look like Congress is going to allocate it.
Dive Insight:
In under-resourced high schools, some guidance counselors are asked to serve as the social-emotional support as well as the college advisor. The role is too broad, and counselors rarely have the skills to play both roles well. In wealthier suburban districts, college advisors do only that, focusing all their energies on preparing students for the application process and ensuring they have the best possible chances of going to a good school that will meet their needs. Turning to nonprofit organizations as partners is a good strategy for schools looks to expand their capacity. There is also something to be said for realigning priorities.
In New York City, the Riverdale Avenue Community School doesn’t have a computer lab or a comprehensive after school program because it prioritizes funding for additional staff social workers through Partnership With Children. School Principal Meghan Dunn considers it her job to keep staff members and families on board with these priorities.