SB 451: Pupil instruction and services: educational counseling.
- Session Year: 2015-2016
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2015-10-06
Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the schools of the district, and, if the program is provided, requires educational counseling to include both academic counseling and career and vocational counseling in specified areas.
This bill would state the Legislatures intent that school counselors also perform specified other functions and services to support pupil learning and achievement and would specify that educational counseling may also include counseling in specified other areas, including, but not limited to, individualized review of a pupils career goals. The bill would require professional development related to career and vocational counseling to include strategies for counseling pupils in specified areas. The bill would make a conforming change by deleting a provision relating to school counselors providing services prior to January 1, 1987.
Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the schools of the district, and, if the program is provided, requires educational counseling to include both academic counseling and career and vocational counseling in specified areas.
This bill would state the Legislatures intent that school counselors also perform specified other functions and services to support pupil learning and achievement and would specify that educational counseling may also include counseling in specified other areas, including, but not limited to, individualized review of a pupils career goals. The bill would require professional development related to career and vocational counseling to include strategies for counseling pupils in specified areas. The bill would make a conforming change by deleting a provision relating to school counselors providing services prior to January 1, 1987.
Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the schools of the district, and, if the program is provided, requires educational counseling to include both academic counseling and career and vocational counseling in specified areas.
This bill would instead require educational counseling to include academic counseling in specified areas, and would provide that educational counseling may include specified areas, including, among others, career and vocational counseling. The bill would state the Legislatures intent that school counselors also perform specified other functions and services, and services to support pupil learning and achievement and would specify that educational counseling may also include counseling in specified other areas, including, but not limited to, individualized review of a pupils career goals. The bill would require professional development related to career and vocational counseling to include strategies for counseling pupils in specified areas. The bill would make a conforming change by deleting a provision relating to school counselors providing services prior to January 1, 1987.
Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the schools of the district, and, if the program is provided, requires educational counseling to include both academic counseling and career and vocational counseling in specified areas.
This bill would instead require educational counseling to include academic counseling in specified areas, and would provide that educational counseling may include specified areas, including, among others, career and vocational counseling. The bill would state the Legislatures intent that school counselors perform specified functions and services, and would require professional development related to career and vocational counseling to include strategies for counseling pupils in specified areas. The bill would make a conforming change by deleting a provision relating to school counselors providing services prior to January 1, 1987.
Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the schools of the district, and, if the program is provided, requires educational counseling to include both academic counseling and career and vocational counseling in specified areas.
This bill would instead require educational counseling to include academic counseling in specified areas, and would provide that educational counseling may include specified areas, including, among others, career and vocational counseling. The bill would state the Legislatures intent that school counselors perform specified functions and services, and would require professional development related to career and vocational counseling to include strategies for counseling pupils in specified areas. The bill would make a conforming change by deleting a provision relating to school counselors providing services prior to January 1, 1987.
(a)The governing board of a school district may provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the school district. It is the intent of the Legislature that a school district that provides educational counseling to its pupils implement a structured and coherent counseling program.
(b)For purposes of this section, educational counseling means specialized services provided by a school counselor possessing a valid credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services who is assigned specific times to directly counsel pupils.
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that school counselors do all of the following:
(1)Engage with, advocate for, and provide support for, all pupils with respect to learning and achievement.
(2)Plan, implement, and evaluate programs to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of all pupils, including pupils from low-income families, foster youth, homeless youth, undocumented youth, and pupils at all levels of academic, social, and emotional abilities.
(3)Use multiple sources of information to monitor and improve pupil behavior and achievement.
(4)Collaborate and coordinate with school and community resources.
(5)Promote and maintain a safe learning environment for all pupils by providing restorative justice practices, positive behavior interventions, and support services.
(6)Intervene to ameliorate school-related problems, including issues related to chronic absences.
(7)Use research-based strategies to reduce stigma, conflict, and pupil-to-pupil mistreatment and bullying.
(8)Improve school climate and pupil well-being.
(9)Enhance pupils social and emotional competence, character, health, civic engagement, cultural literacy, and commitment to lifelong learning and the pursuit of high-quality educational programs.
(10)Provide counseling interventions and support services for pupils classified as English learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or foster youth, including enhancing equity and access to the education system and community services.
(11)Engage in continued development as a professional school counselor.
(d)Educational counseling shall include academic counseling, in which pupils receive counseling in the following areas:
(1)Development and implementation, with parental involvement, of the pupils immediate and long-range educational plans.
(2)Optimizing progress towards achievement of proficiency standards.
(3)Completion of the required curriculum in accordance with the pupils needs, abilities, interests, and aptitudes.
(4)Academic planning for access and success in higher education programs, including advisement on courses needed for admission to public colleges and universities, standardized admissions tests, and financial aid.
(5)Career and vocational counseling, in which pupils are assisted in doing all of the following:
(A)Planning for the future, including, but not limited to, identifying personal interests, skills, and abilities, career planning, course selection, and career transition.
(B)Becoming aware of personal preferences and interests that influence educational and occupational exploration, career choice, and career success.
(C)Developing realistic perceptions of work, the changing work environment, and the effect of work on lifestyle.
(D)Understanding the relationship between academic achievement and career success, and the importance of maximizing career options.
(E)Understanding the value of participating in career technical education and work-based learning activities and programs, including, but not limited to, service learning, regional occupational centers and programs, partnership programs, job shadowing, and mentoring experiences.
(F)Understanding the need to develop essential employable skills and work habits.
(G)Understanding the variety of four-year colleges and universities and community college vocational and technical preparation programs, as well as admission criteria and enrollment procedures.
(e)Educational counseling may also include counseling in any of the following:
(1)Individualized review of the academic and deportment records of a pupil.
(2)Individualized review of the pupils career goals, and the available academic and career technical education opportunities and community and workplace experiences available to the pupil that may support the pursuit of those goals.
(3)Opportunity for a counselor to meet with each pupil and, if practicable, the parents or legal guardian of the pupil to discuss the academic and deportment records of the pupil, his or her educational options, the coursework and academic progress needed for satisfactory completion of middle or high school, passage of the high school exit examination or its successor, education opportunities at community colleges, eligibility for admission to a four-year institution of postsecondary education, including the University of California and the California State University, and the availability of career technical education. That discussion shall also address the availability of intensive instruction and services as required pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 37254, for up to two consecutive academic years after the completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination or its successor, whichever comes first, for those pupils who have not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination, or its successor, by the end of grade 12. The educational options discussed at the meeting shall include, to the extent these services are available, the college preparatory program and career technical education programs, including regional occupational centers and programs and similar alternatives available to pupils within the school district.
(4)Identifying pupils who are at risk of not graduating with the rest of their class, are not earning credits at a rate that will enable them to pass the high school exit examination, or its successor, or do not have sufficient training to allow them to fully engage in their chosen career.
(5)In schools that enroll pupils in grades 10 and 12, developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil in his or her grade who has not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination, or its successor, or has not satisfied, or is not on track to satisfy, the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University, and to successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment.
(6)Developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil in middle school to successfully transition to high school and meet all graduation requirements, including passing the high school exit examination, or its successor.
(7)In schools that enroll pupils in grades 6 to 12, inclusive, developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil to begin to satisfy the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University.
(8)Providing a copy of the lists developed pursuant to paragraphs (6) and (7) to a pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian, ensuring that the list of coursework and experience is part of the pupils cumulative record.
(9)Informing each pupil who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination, or its successor, of the option of intensive instruction and services.
(10)Developing a list of coursework and experience for a pupil enrolled in grade 12, including options for continuing his or her education if he or she fails to meet graduation requirements. These options shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Enrolling in an adult education program.
(B)Enrolling in a community college.
(C)Continuing enrollment in the pupils current school district.
(D)Continuing to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination or its successor, whichever comes first.
(11)Providing a copy of the list of coursework and experiences developed pursuant to paragraph (10) to the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian, ensuring that the list of coursework and experience is part of the cumulative records of a pupil.
(12)Offering and scheduling an individual conference with each pupil in grades 10 and 12 who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination, or its successor, or has not satisfied, or is not on track to satisfy, the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University and to successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment, and providing the following information to the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian:
(A)Consequences of not passing the high school exit examination, or its successor.
(B)Programs, courses, and career technical education options available to the pupil as needed for satisfactory completion of middle or high school.
(C)Cumulative records and transcripts of the pupil.
(D)Results of standardized and diagnostic assessments of the pupil.
(E)Remediation strategies, high school courses, and alternative education options available to the pupil, including, but not limited to, informing the pupil of the option to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination or its successor, whichever comes first.
(F)Information on postsecondary education and training.
(G)The score of the pupil on the English language arts or mathematics portion of the California Standards Test administered in grade 6, as applicable.
(H)Eligibility requirements, including coursework and test requirements, and the progress of the pupil toward satisfaction of those requirements for admission to four-year institutions of postsecondary education, including the University of California and the California State University.
(I)The availability of financial aid for postsecondary education.
(13)Personal and social counseling, in which pupils receive counseling pertaining to interpersonal relationships for the purpose of promoting the development of their academic abilities, careers and vocations, and personal and social skills.
(f)Professional development related to career and vocational counseling shall include strategies for counseling pupils pursuing postsecondary education, career technical education, multiple pathways, college, and global career opportunities.
(g)Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting persons participating in an organized advisory program approved by the governing board of a school district, and supervised by a school district counselor, from advising pupils pursuant to the organized advisory program.
(a)The governing board of a school district may provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the school district. It is the intent of the Legislature that a school district that provides educational counseling to its pupils implement a structured and coherent counseling program.
(b)For purposes of this section, educational counseling means specialized services provided by a school counselor possessing a valid credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services who is assigned specific times to directly counsel pupils.
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that school counselors do all of the following:
(1)Engage with, advocate for, and provide support for, all pupils with respect to learning and achievement.
(2)Plan, implement, and evaluate programs to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of all pupils, including pupils from low-income families, foster youth, homeless youth, undocumented youth, and pupils at all levels of academic, social, and emotional abilities.
(3)Use multiple sources of information to monitor and improve pupil behavior and achievement.
(4)Collaborate and coordinate with school and community resources.
(5)Promote and maintain a safe learning environment for all pupils by providing restorative justice practices, positive behavior interventions, and support services.
(6)Intervene to ameliorate school-related problems, including issues related to chronic absences.
(7)Use research-based strategies to reduce stigma, conflict, and pupil-to-pupil mistreatment and bullying.
(8)Improve school climate and pupil well-being.
(9)Enhance pupils social and emotional competence, character, health, civic engagement, cultural literacy, and commitment to lifelong learning and the pursuit of high-quality educational programs.
(10)Provide counseling interventions and support services for pupils classified as English learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or foster youth, including enhancing equity and access to the education system and community services.
(11)Engage in continued development as a professional school counselor.
(d)Educational counseling shall include academic counseling, in which pupils receive counseling in the following areas:
(1)Development and implementation, with parental involvement, of the pupils immediate and long-range educational plans.
(2)Optimizing progress towards achievement of proficiency standards.
(3)Completion of the required curriculum in accordance with the pupils needs, abilities, interests, and aptitudes.
(4)Academic planning for access and success in higher education programs, including advisement on courses needed for admission to public colleges and universities, standardized admissions tests, and financial aid.
(5)Career and vocational counseling, in which pupils are assisted in doing all of the following:
(A)Planning for the future, including, but not limited to, identifying personal interests, skills, and abilities, career planning, course selection, and career transition.
(B)Becoming aware of personal preferences and interests that influence educational and occupational exploration, career choice, and career success.
(C)Developing realistic perceptions of work, the changing work environment, and the effect of work on lifestyle.
(D)Understanding the relationship between academic achievement and career success, and the importance of maximizing career options.
(E)Understanding the value of participating in career technical education and work-based learning activities and programs, including, but not limited to, service learning, regional occupational centers and programs, partnership programs, job shadowing, and mentoring experiences.
(F)Understanding the need to develop essential employable skills and work habits.
(G)Understanding the variety of four-year colleges and universities and community college vocational and technical preparation programs, as well as admission criteria and enrollment procedures.
(e)Educational counseling may also include counseling in any of the following:
(1)Individualized review of the academic and deportment records of a pupil.
(2)Individualized review of the pupils career goals, and the available academic and career technical education opportunities and community and workplace experiences available to the pupil that may support the pursuit of those goals.
(3)Opportunity for a counselor to meet with each pupil and, if practicable, the parents or legal guardian of the pupil to discuss the academic and deportment records of the pupil, his or her educational options, the coursework and academic progress needed for satisfactory completion of middle or high school, passage of the high school exit examination or its successor, education opportunities at community colleges, eligibility for admission to a four-year institution of postsecondary education, including the University of California and the California State University, and the availability of career technical education. That discussion shall also address the availability of intensive instruction and services as required pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 37254, for up to two consecutive academic years after the completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination or its successor, whichever comes first, for those pupils who have not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination, or its successor, by the end of grade 12. The educational options discussed at the meeting shall include, to the extent these services are available, the college preparatory program and career technical education programs, including regional occupational centers and programs and similar alternatives available to pupils within the school district.
(4)Identifying pupils who are at risk of not graduating with the rest of their class, are not earning credits at a rate that will enable them to pass the high school exit examination, or its successor, or do not have sufficient training to allow them to fully engage in their chosen career.
(5)In schools that enroll pupils in grades 10 and 12, developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil in his or her grade who has not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination, or its successor, or has not satisfied, or is not on track to satisfy, the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University, and to successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment.
(6)Developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil in middle school to successfully transition to high school and meet all graduation requirements, including passing the high school exit examination, or its successor.
(7)In schools that enroll pupils in grades 6 to 12, inclusive, developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil to begin to satisfy the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University.
(8)Providing a copy of the lists developed pursuant to paragraphs (6) and (7) to a pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian, ensuring that the list of coursework and experience is part of the pupils cumulative record.
(9)Informing each pupil who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination, or its successor, of the option of intensive instruction and services.
(10)Developing a list of coursework and experience for a pupil enrolled in grade 12, including options for continuing his or her education if he or she fails to meet graduation requirements. These options shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Enrolling in an adult education program.
(B)Enrolling in a community college.
(C)Continuing enrollment in the pupils current school district.
(D)Continuing to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination or its successor, whichever comes first.
(11)Providing a copy of the list of coursework and experiences developed pursuant to paragraph (10) to the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian, ensuring that the list of coursework and experience is part of the cumulative records of a pupil.
(12)Offering and scheduling an individual conference with each pupil in grades 10 and 12 who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination, or its successor, or has not satisfied, or is not on track to satisfy, the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University and to successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment, and providing the following information to the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian:
(A)Consequences of not passing the high school exit examination, or its successor.
(B)Programs, courses, and career technical education options available to the pupil as needed for satisfactory completion of middle or high school.
(C)Cumulative records and transcripts of the pupil.
(D)Results of standardized and diagnostic assessments of the pupil.
(E)Remediation strategies, high school courses, and alternative education options available to the pupil, including, but not limited to, informing the pupil of the option to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination or its successor, whichever comes first.
(F)Information on postsecondary education and training.
(G)The score of the pupil on the English language arts or mathematics portion of the California Standards Test administered in grade 6, as applicable.
(H)Eligibility requirements, including coursework and test requirements, and the progress of the pupil toward satisfaction of those requirements for admission to four-year institutions of postsecondary education, including the University of California and the California State University.
(I)The availability of financial aid for postsecondary education.
(13)Personal and social counseling, in which pupils receive counseling pertaining to interpersonal relationships for the purpose of promoting the development of their academic abilities, careers and vocations, and personal and social skills.
(f)Professional development related to career and vocational counseling shall include strategies for counseling pupils pursuing postsecondary education, career technical education, multiple pathways, college, and global career opportunities.
(g)Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting persons participating in an organized advisory program approved by the governing board of a school district, and supervised by a school district counselor, from advising pupils pursuant to the organized advisory program.
(a)The governing board of a school district may provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the school district. It is the intent of the Legislature that a school district that provides educational counseling to its pupils implement a structured and coherent counseling program.
(b)For purposes of this section, educational counseling means specialized services provided by a school counselor possessing a valid credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services who is assigned specific times to directly counsel pupils.
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that school counselors do all of the following:
(1)Engage with, advocate for, and provide support for, all pupils with respect to learning and achievement.
(2)Plan, implement, and evaluate programs to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of all pupils, including pupils from low-income families, foster youth, homeless youth, undocumented youth, and pupils at all levels of academic, social, and emotional abilities.
(3)Use multiple sources of information to monitor and improve pupil behavior and achievement.
(4)Collaborate and coordinate with school and community resources.
(5)Promote and maintain a safe learning environment for all pupils by providing restorative justice practices, positive behavior interventions, and support services.
(6)Intervene to ameliorate school-related problems, including issues related to chronic absences.
(7)Use research-based strategies to reduce stigma, conflict, and pupil-to-pupil mistreatment and bullying.
(8)Improve school climate and pupil well-being.
(9)Enhance pupils social and emotional competence, character, health, civic engagement, cultural literacy, and commitment to lifelong learning and the pursuit of high-quality educational programs.
(10)Provide counseling interventions and support services for pupils classified as English learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or foster youth, including enhancing equity and access to the education system and community services.
(11)Engage in continued development as a professional school counselor.
(d)Educational counseling shall include academic counseling, in which pupils receive counseling in the following areas:
(1)Development and implementation, with parental involvement, of the pupils immediate and long-range educational plans.
(2)Optimizing progress towards achievement of proficiency standards.
(3)Completion of the required curriculum in accordance with the pupils needs, abilities, interests, and aptitudes.
(4)Academic planning for access and success in higher education programs, including advisement on courses needed for admission to public colleges and universities, standardized admissions tests, and financial aid.
(5)Career and vocational counseling, in which pupils are assisted in doing all of the following:
(A)Planning for the future, including, but not limited to, identifying personal interests, skills, and abilities, career planning, course selection, and career transition.
(B)Becoming aware of personal preferences and interests that influence educational and occupational exploration, career choice, and career success.
(C)Developing realistic perceptions of work, the changing work environment, and the effect of work on lifestyle.
(D)Understanding the relationship between academic achievement and career success, and the importance of maximizing career options.
(E)Understanding the value of participating in career technical education and work-based learning activities and programs, including, but not limited to, service learning, regional occupational centers and programs, partnership programs, job shadowing, and mentoring experiences.
(F)Understanding the need to develop essential employable skills and work habits.
(G)Understanding the variety of four-year colleges and universities and community college vocational and technical preparation programs, as well as admission criteria and enrollment procedures.
(e)Educational counseling may also include counseling in any of the following:
(1)Individualized review of the academic and deportment records of a pupil.
(2)Individualized review of the pupils career goals, and the available academic and career technical education opportunities and community and workplace experiences available to the pupil that may support the pursuit of those goals.
(3)Opportunity for a counselor to meet with each pupil and, if practicable, the parents or legal guardian of the pupil to discuss the academic and deportment records of the pupil, his or her educational options, the coursework and academic progress needed for satisfactory completion of middle or high school, passage of the high school exit examination, examination or its successor, education opportunities at community colleges, eligibility for admission to a four-year institution of postsecondary education, including the University of California and the California State University, and the availability of career technical education. That discussion shall also address the availability of intensive instruction and services as required pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 37254, for up to two consecutive academic years after the completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination, examination or its successor, whichever comes first, for those pupils who have not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination examination, or its successor, by the end of grade 12. The educational options discussed at the meeting shall include, to the extent these services are available, the college preparatory program and career technical education programs, including regional occupational centers and programs and similar alternatives available to pupils within the school district.
(4)Identifying pupils who are at risk of not graduating with the rest of their class, are not earning credits at a rate that will enable them to pass the high school exit examination, or its successor, or do not have sufficient training to allow them to fully engage in their chosen career.
(5)In schools that enroll pupils in grades 10 and 12, developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil in his or her grade who has not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination examination, or its successor, or has not satisfied, or is not on track to satisfy, the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University, and to successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment.
(6)Developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil in middle school to successfully transition to high school and meet all graduation requirements, including passing the high school exit examination. examination, or its successor.
(7)In schools that enroll pupils in grades 6 to 12, inclusive, developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil to begin to satisfy the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University.
(8)Providing a copy of the lists developed pursuant to paragraphs (6) and (7) to a pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian, ensuring that the list of coursework and experience is part of the pupils cumulative record.
(9)Informing each pupil who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination examination, or its successor, of the option of intensive instruction and services.
(10)Developing a list of coursework and experience for a pupil enrolled in grade 12, including options for continuing his or her education if he or she fails to meet graduation requirements. These options shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Enrolling in an adult education program.
(B)Enrolling in a community college.
(C)Continuing enrollment in the pupils current school district.
(D)Continuing to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination, examination or its successor, whichever comes first.
(11)Providing a copy of the list of coursework and experiences developed pursuant to paragraph (10) to the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian, ensuring that the list of coursework and experience is part of the cumulative records of a pupil.
(12)Offering and scheduling an individual conference with each pupil in grades 10 and 12 who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination examination, or its successor, or has not satisfied, or is not on track to satisfy, the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University and to successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment, and providing the following information to the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian:
(A)Consequences of not passing the high school exit examination. examination, or its successor.
(B)Programs, courses, and career technical education options available to the pupil as needed for satisfactory completion of middle or high school.
(C)Cumulative records and transcripts of the pupil.
(D)Results of standardized and diagnostic assessments of the pupil.
(E)Remediation strategies, high school courses, and alternative education options available to the pupil, including, but not limited to, informing the pupil of the option to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination, examination or its successor, whichever comes first.
(F)Information on postsecondary education and training.
(G)The score of the pupil on the English language arts or mathematics portion of the California Standards Test administered in grade 6, as applicable.
(H)Eligibility requirements, including coursework and test requirements, and the progress of the pupil toward satisfaction of those requirements for admission to four-year institutions of postsecondary education, including the University of California and the California State University.
(I)The availability of financial aid for postsecondary education.
(13)Career and vocational counseling, in which pupils are assisted in doing all of the following:
(A)Planning for the future, including, but not limited to, identifying personal interests, skills, and abilities, career planning, course selection, and career transition.
(B)Becoming aware of personal preferences and interests that influence educational and occupational exploration, career choice, and career success.
(C)Developing realistic perceptions of work, the changing work environment, and the effect of work on lifestyle.
(D)Understanding the relationship between academic achievement and career success, and the importance of maximizing career options.
(E)Understanding the value of participating in career technical education and work-based learning activities and programs, including, but not limited to, service learning, regional occupational centers and programs, partnership programs, job shadowing, and mentoring experiences.
(F)Understanding the need to develop essential employable skills and work habits.
(G)Understanding the variety of four-year colleges and universities and community college vocational and technical preparation programs, as well as admission criteria and enrollment procedures.
(14)
(13)Personal and social counseling, in which pupils receive counseling pertaining to interpersonal relationships for the purpose of promoting the development of their academic abilities, careers and vocations, and personal and social skills.
(f)Professional development related to career and vocational counseling shall include strategies for counseling pupils pursuing postsecondary education, career technical education, multiple pathways, college, and global career opportunities.
(g)Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting persons participating in an organized advisory program approved by the governing board of a school district, and supervised by a school district counselor, from advising pupils pursuant to the organized advisory program.
(a)The governing board of a school district may provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the school district. It is the intent of the Legislature that a school district that provides educational counseling to its pupils implement a structured and coherent counseling program.
(b)For purposes of this section, educational counseling means specialized services provided by a school counselor possessing a valid credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services who is assigned specific times to directly counsel pupils.
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that school counselors do all of the following:
(1)Engage with, advocate for, and provide support for, all pupils with respect to learning and achievement.
(2)Plan, implement, and evaluate programs to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of all pupils. pupils, including pupils from low-income families, foster youth, homeless youth, undocumented youth, and pupils at all levels of academic, social, and emotional abilities.
(3)Use multiple sources of information to monitor and improve pupil behavior and achievement.
(4)Collaborate and coordinate with school and community resources.
(5)Promote and maintain a safe learning environment for all pupils by providing restorative justice practices, positive behavior interventions, and support services.
(6)Intervene to ameliorate school-related problems, including issues related to chronic absences.
(7)Use research-based strategies to reduce stigma, conflict, and pupil-to-pupil mistreatment and bullying.
(8)Improve school climate and pupil well-being.
(9)Enhance pupils social and emotional competence, character, health, civic engagement, cultural literacy, and commitment to lifelong learning and the pursuit of high-quality educational programs.
(10)Provide counseling interventions and support services for pupils classified as English learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or foster youth, including providing enhancing equity and access to the education system and community services.
(11)Engage in continued development as a professional school counselor.
(e)
(d)Educational counseling shall include academic counseling, in which pupils receive counseling in the following areas:
(1)Establishment Development and implementation, with parental involvement, of the pupils immediate and long-range educational plans.
(2)Optimizing progress towards achievement of proficiency standards.
(3)Completion of the required curriculum in accordance with the pupils needs, abilities, interests, and aptitudes.
(4)Academic planning for access and success in higher education programs, including advisement on courses needed for admission to public colleges and universities, standardized admissions tests, and financial aid.
(f)
(e)Educational counseling may also include counseling in any of the following:
(1)Individualized review of the academic and deportment records of a pupil.
(2)Individualized review of the pupils career goals, and the available academic and career technical education opportunities and community and workplace experiences available to the pupil that may support the pursuit of those goals.
(3)Opportunity for a counselor to meet with each pupil and, if practicable, the parents or legal guardian of the pupil to discuss the academic and deportment records of the pupil, his or her educational options, the coursework and academic progress needed for satisfactory completion of middle or high school, passage of the high school exit examination, education opportunities at community colleges, eligibility for admission to a four-year institution of postsecondary education, including the University of California and the California State University, and the availability of career technical education. That discussion shall also address the availability of intensive instruction and services as required pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 37254, for up to two consecutive academic years after the completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination, whichever comes first, for those pupils who have not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination by the end of grade 12. The educational options discussed at the meeting shall include, to the extent these services are available, the college preparatory program and career technical education programs, including regional occupational centers and programs and similar alternatives available to pupils within the school district.
(4)Identifying pupils who are at risk of not graduating with the rest of their class, are not earning credits at a rate that will enable them to pass the high school exit examination, or do not have sufficient training to allow them to fully engage in their chosen career.
(5)In schools that enroll pupils in grades 10 and 12, developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil in his or her grade who has not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination or has not satisfied, or is not on track to satisfy, the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University, and to successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment.
(6)Developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil in middle school to successfully transition to high school and meet all graduation requirements, including passing the high school exit examination.
(7)In schools that enroll pupils in grades 6 to 12, inclusive, developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil to begin to satisfy the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University.
(8)Providing a copy of the lists developed pursuant to paragraphs (6) and (7) to a pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian, ensuring that the list of coursework and experience is part of the pupils cumulative record.
(9)Informing each pupil who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination of the option of intensive instruction and services.
(10)Developing a list of coursework and experience for a pupil enrolled in grade 12, including options for continuing his or her education if he or she fails to meet graduation requirements. These options shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Enrolling in an adult education program.
(B)Enrolling in a community college.
(C)Continuing enrollment in the pupils current school district.
(D)Continuing to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination, whichever comes first.
(11)Providing a copy of the list of coursework and experiences developed pursuant to paragraph (10) to the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian, ensuring that the list of coursework and experience is part of the cumulative records of a pupil.
(12)Offering and scheduling an individual conference with each pupil in grades 10 and 12 who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination or has not satisfied, or is not on track to satisfy, the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University and to successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment, and providing the following information to the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian:
(A)Consequences of not passing the high school exit examination.
(B)Programs, courses, and career technical education options available to the pupil as needed for satisfactory completion of middle or high school.
(C)Cumulative records and transcripts of the pupil.
(D)Results of standardized and diagnostic assessments of the pupil.
(E)Remediation strategies, high school courses, and alternative education options available to the pupil, including, but not limited to, informing the pupil of the option to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination, whichever comes first.
(F)Information on postsecondary education and training.
(G)The score of the pupil on the English language arts or mathematics portion of the California Standards Test administered in grade 6, as applicable.
(H)Eligibility requirements, including coursework and test requirements, and the progress of the pupil toward satisfaction of those requirements for admission to four-year institutions of postsecondary education, including the University of California and the California State University.
(I)The availability of financial aid for postsecondary education.
(13)Career and vocational counseling, in which pupils are assisted in doing all of the following:
(A)Planning for the future, including, but not limited to, identifying personal interests, skills, and abilities, career planning, course selection, and career transition.
(B)Becoming aware of personal preferences and interests that influence educational and occupational exploration, career choice, and career success.
(C)Developing realistic perceptions of work, the changing work environment, and the effect of work on lifestyle.
(D)Understanding the relationship between academic achievement and career success, and the importance of maximizing career options.
(E)Understanding the value of participating in career technical education and work-based learning activities and programs, including, but not limited to, service learning, regional occupational centers and programs, partnership programs, job shadowing, and mentoring experiences.
(F)Understanding the need to develop essential employable skills and work habits.
(G)Understanding the variety of four-year colleges and universities and community college vocational and technical preparation programs, as well as admission criteria and enrollment procedures.
(14)Personal and social counseling, in which pupils receive counseling pertaining to interpersonal relationships for the purpose of promoting the development of their academic abilities, careers and vocations, and personal and social skills.
(g)
(f)Professional development related to career and vocational counseling shall include strategies for counseling pupils pursuing postsecondary education, career technical education, multiple pathways, college, and global career opportunities.
(h)
(g)Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting persons participating in an organized advisory program approved by the governing board of a school district, and supervised by a school district counselor, from advising pupils pursuant to the organized advisory program.
(a)The governing board of any a school district may provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all pupils enrolled in the schools of the school district. It is the intent of the Legislature that a school district that provides educational counseling to its pupils implement a structured and coherent counseling program.
For
(b)For purposes of this section, educational counseling means specialized services provided by a school counselor possessing a valid credential with a specialization in pupil personnel services who is assigned specific times to directly counsel pupils.
(b)Educational counseling shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(c)It is the intent of the Legislature that school counselors do all of the following:
(1)Engage with, advocate for, and provide support for, all pupils with respect to learning and achievement.
(2)Plan, implement, and evaluate programs to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of all pupils.
(3)Use multiple sources of information to monitor and improve pupil behavior and achievement.
(4)Collaborate and coordinate with school and community resources.
(5)Promote and maintain a safe learning environment for all pupils by providing restorative justice practices, positive behavior interventions, and support services.
(6)Intervene to ameliorate school-related problems, including issues related to chronic absences.
(7)Use research-based strategies to reduce stigma, conflict, and pupil-to-pupil mistreatment and bullying.
(8)Improve school climate and pupil well-being.
(9)Enhance pupils social and emotional competence, character, health, civic engagement, cultural literacy, and commitment to lifelong learning and the pursuit of high-quality educational programs.
(10)Provide counseling interventions and support services for pupils classified as English learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or foster youth, including providing equity and access to the education system and community services.
(11)Engage in continued development as a professional school counselor.
(1)Academic
(e)Educational counseling shall include academic counseling, in which pupils receive counseling in the following areas:
(A)
(1)Establishment and implementation implementation, with parental involvement involvement, of the pupils immediate and long-range educational plans.
(B)
(2)Optimizing progress towards achievement of proficiency standards.
(C)
(3)Completion of the required curriculum in accordance with the pupils needs, abilities, interests, and aptitudes.
(D)
(4)Academic planning for access and success in higher education programs programs, including advisement on courses needed for admission to public colleges and universities, standarized standardized admissions tests, and financial aid.
(f)Educational counseling may also include counseling in any of the following:
(1)Individualized review of the academic and deportment records of a pupil.
(2)Individualized review of the pupils career goals, and the available academic and career technical education opportunities and community and workplace experiences available to the pupil that may support the pursuit of those goals.
(3)Opportunity for a counselor to meet with each pupil and, if practicable, the parents or legal guardian of the pupil to discuss the academic and deportment records of the pupil, his or her educational options, the coursework and academic progress needed for satisfactory completion of middle or high school, passage of the high school exit examination, education opportunities at community colleges, eligibility for admission to a four-year institution of postsecondary education, including the University of California and the California State University, and the availability of career technical education. That discussion shall also address the availability of intensive instruction and services as required pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 37254, for up to two consecutive academic years after the completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination, whichever comes first, for those pupils who have not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination by the end of grade 12. The educational options discussed at the meeting shall include, to the extent these services are available, the college preparatory program and career technical education programs, including regional occupational centers and programs and similar alternatives available to pupils within the school district.
(4)Identifying pupils who are at risk of not graduating with the rest of their class, are not earning credits at a rate that will enable them to pass the high school exit examination, or do not have sufficient training to allow them to fully engage in their chosen career.
(5)In schools that enroll pupils in grades 10 and 12, developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil in his or her grade who has not passed one or both parts of the high school exit examination or has not satisfied, or is not on track to satisfy, the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University, and to successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment.
(6)Developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil in middle school to successfully transition to high school and meet all graduation requirements, including passing the high school exit examination.
(7)In schools that enroll pupils in grades 6 to 12, inclusive, developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist each pupil to begin to satisfy the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University.
(8)Providing a copy of the lists developed pursuant to paragraphs (6) and (7) to a pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian, ensuring that the list of coursework and experience is part of the pupils cumulative record.
(9)Informing each pupil who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination of the option of intensive instruction and services.
(10)Developing a list of coursework and experience for a pupil enrolled in grade 12, including options for continuing his or her education if he or she fails to meet graduation requirements. These options shall include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(A)Enrolling in an adult education program.
(B)Enrolling in a community college.
(C)Continuing enrollment in the pupils current school district.
(D)Continuing to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination, whichever comes first.
(11)Providing a copy of the list of coursework and experiences developed pursuant to paragraph (10) to the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian, ensuring that the list of coursework and experience is part of the cumulative records of a pupil.
(12)Offering and scheduling an individual conference with each pupil in grades 10 and 12 who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination or has not satisfied, or is not on track to satisfy, the curricular requirements for admission to the University of California and the California State University and to successfully transition to postsecondary education or employment, and providing the following information to the pupil and his or her parent or legal guardian:
(A)Consequences of not passing the high school exit examination.
(B)Programs, courses, and career technical education options available to the pupil as needed for satisfactory completion of middle or high school.
(C)Cumulative records and transcripts of the pupil.
(D)Results of standardized and diagnostic assessments of the pupil.
(E)Remediation strategies, high school courses, and alternative education options available to the pupil, including, but not limited to, informing the pupil of the option to receive intensive instruction and services for up to two consecutive academic years after completion of grade 12 or until the pupil has passed both parts of the high school exit examination, whichever comes first.
(F)Information on postsecondary education and training.
(G)The score of the pupil on the English language arts or mathematics portion of the California Standards Test administered in grade 6, as applicable.
(H)Eligibility requirements, including coursework and test requirements, and the progress of the pupil toward satisfaction of those requirements for admission to four-year institutions of postsecondary education, including the University of California and the California State University.
(I)The availability of financial aid for postsecondary education.
(2)
(13)Career and vocational counseling, in which pupils are assisted in doing all of the following:
(A)Planning for the future. future, including, but not limited to, identifying personal interests, skills, and abilities, career planning, course selection, and career transition.
(B)Becoming aware of their career potential. personal preferences and interests that influence educational and occupational exploration, career choice, and career success.
(C)Developing realistic perceptions of work. work, the changing work environment, and the effect of work on lifestyle.
(D)Relating to the work world.
(D)Understanding the relationship between academic achievement and career success, and the importance of maximizing career options.
(E)Understanding the value of participating in career technical education and work-based learning activities and programs, including, but not limited to, service learning, regional occupational centers and programs, partnership programs, job shadowing, and mentoring experiences.
(F)Understanding the need to develop essential employable skills and work habits.
(G)Understanding the variety of four-year colleges and universities and community college vocational and technical preparation programs, as well as admission criteria and enrollment procedures.
(3)
(14)Personal and social counseling, in which pupils receive counseling pertaining to interpersonal relationships for the purpose of promoting the development of their academic abilities, careers and vocations, personalities, and personal and social skills.
(g)Professional development related to career and vocational counseling shall include strategies for counseling pupils pursuing postsecondary education, career technical education, multiple pathways, college, and global career opportunities.
(c)
(h)Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting persons participating in an organized advisory program approved by the governing board of a school district, and supervised by a school district counselor, from advising pupils pursuant to the organized advisory program.
(d)Notwithstanding any provisions of this section to the contrary, any person who is performing these counseling services pursuant to law authorizing the performance thereof in effect before January 1, 1987, shall be authorized to continue to perform those services on and after that date without compliance with the additional requirements imposed by this section.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Apr 30, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 32. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Oct 6, 2015 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 539, Statutes of 2015. |
| Oct 6, 2015 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 3, 2015 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 10 a.m. |
| Aug 31, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 68. Noes 5. Page 2680.) Ordered to the Senate. |
| Aug 31, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. |
| Aug 31, 2015 | In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Jun 19, 2015 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Jun 18, 2015 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 17). |
| May 14, 2015 | Referred to Com. on ED. |
| Feb 25, 2015 | Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print. |
| Apr 30, 2015 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 32. Noes 0. Page 842.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Apr 30, 2015 | In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. |
| Apr 29, 2015 | Read second time and amended. Ordered to third reading. |
| Apr 28, 2015 | From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 8. Noes 1. Page 722.) (April 22). |
| Apr 10, 2015 | Set for hearing April 22. |
| Apr 8, 2015 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED. |
| Mar 5, 2015 | Referred to Com. on ED. |
| Feb 26, 2015 | From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 28. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2015 | SB 451 Lara Senate Third Reading By O'DONNELL | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 17, 2015 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
|
| Apr 30, 2015 | Senate 3rd Reading SB451 Lara | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 22, 2015 | Do pass as amended | Senate Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| California Association For The Gifted | ** Support | Aug 31, 2015 |
| California Association Of School Counselors | ** Support | Aug 31, 2015 |
| California State PTA | ** Support | Aug 31, 2015 |
| California Teachers Association | ** Support | Aug 31, 2015 |
| Los Angeles County Office Of Education | ** Support | Aug 31, 2015 |
| Santa Clara County Office Of Education | ** Support | Aug 31, 2015 |
| u None received. | ** Against | Apr 22, 2015 |
SB 451
Page 2
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 451
(Lara)
As Amended April 29, 2015
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE: 32-0
Committee |
Votes |
Ayes |
Noes |
Education |
6-0 |
O'Donnell, Kim, McCarty, Santiago, Thurmond, Weber |
|
SUMMARY: Revises requirements for school counseling programs in school districts which have chosen to provide comprehensive educational counseling programs. Specifically, this bill:
Expands the definition of academic counseling to include counseling in understanding the relationship between academic achievement and career success, the value of career technical education and career readiness, and postsecondary options.
States that educational counseling may also include:
Individualized review of the academic and deportment records, and the academic and career goals and opportunities, of a student.
The opportunity for a counselor to meet with each student and his or her parents or guardians to discuss the academic and deportment records of the student, and his or her educational and career options.
Identifying students who are at risk of not graduating or having sufficient training to allow them to fully engage in their chosen career.
Developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist middle and high school students to meet academic goals such as passage of the high school exit exam or its successor, graduation requirements, and higher education admission requirements, and a list for students for continuing education for students who fail to meet graduation requirements
Informing each student who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination, or its successor, of the option of intensive instruction and services
Offering an individual conference with each 10th and 12th grade student who is not meeting academic targets or career goals and providing the student and his or her parent or guardian: information on programs, courses, and career technical education options; information on the academic progress of the student; information on remediation strategies, high school courses, and alternative education options available to the student; and information on postsecondary education and training and the availability of financial aid
Requires ongoing professional development related to career and vocational counseling to include strategies for students pursing postsecondary, career technical education, multiple pathway, college, and global career opportunities.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Need for the bill. The author's office states: "Research has demonstrated, most recently in a 2014 UC [University of California] Irvine study, that higher numbers of counselors in K-12 schools is strongly associated with higher ratios of college enrollment, among other improved student outcomes.
As California aims to improve its education system and is implementing the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), counselors can play a critical role in addressing equity challenges and meeting the eight state priorities outlined in the Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAP), which include school climate, high school graduation rates, and access to college preparation courses, among others."
In 2010-11 California had the worst counselor-to-student ratio in the country. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics show that as of 2010-2011 the national average was one counselor for every 471 students, and that California had one counselor for every 1,016 students, the worst ratio in the country.
A 2012 EdSource report examining the number of school counselors in the state's 30 largest districts found that the number of counselors in those districts was 21% lower than pre-recession levels. The report also found that few districts issued preliminary layoff notices to counselors in significant numbers in 2012-13, indicating that the reductions have stabilized.
Updating and aligning school counseling with LCAP priorities. Current law requirements for school counseling date to 1987, and do not reflect a number of changes in education policy, including school finance, accountability, discrimination and safety, and college and career readiness. This bill attempts to update counseling statutes by updating them in a number of areas, including referencing elements of the eight state priority areas including of the Local Control Accountability Plans.
Prior legislation. SB 272 (Wiggins) of the 2009-10 Regular Session was substantially similar to this bill. SB 272 was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger, who stated: "School district governing boards already have the authority to include the specified program requirements within its comprehensive educational counseling program. Nothing under current law prohibits a district from doing so. As a result, this bill is unnecessary."
Analysis Prepared by: Tanya Lieberman / ED. / (916) 319-2087 FN: 0001044
SB 451
Page 4
Date of Hearing: June 17, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Patrick O'Donnell, Chair
SB 451
(Lara) – As Amended April 29, 2015
SENATE VOTE: 32-0
SUBJECT: Student instruction and services: educational counseling.
SUMMARY: Revises requirements for school counseling programs in school districts which have chosen to provide comprehensive educational counseling programs. Specifically, this bill:
States legislative intent that school counselors perform specified functions and services, including: engaging and advocating for all students; implementing programs to promote student academic, career, and personal growth; promoting a safe learning environment; using research-based strategies to reduce stigma, conflict, and bullying; and providing support services for students who are English learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or foster youth, including enhancing equity and access to the education system and community services.
Expands the definition of academic counseling to include counseling in understanding the relationship between academic achievement and career success, the value of career technical education and career readiness, and postsecondary options.
States that educational counseling may also include:
individualized review of the academic and deportment records, and the academic and career goals and opportunities, of a student.
the opportunity for a counselor to meet with each student and his or her parents or guardians to discuss the academic and deportment records of the student, and his or her educational and career options.
identifying students who are at risk of not graduating or having sufficient training to allow them to fully engage in their chosen career.
developing a list of coursework and experience necessary to assist middle and high school students to meet academic goals such as passage of the high school exit exam or its successor, graduation requirements, and higher education admission requirements, and a list for students for continuing education for students who fail to meet graduation requirements
informing each student who has failed to pass one or both parts of the high school exit examination, or its successor, of the option of intensive instruction and services
offering an individual conference with each 10th and 12th grade student who is not meeting academic targets or career goals and providing the student and his or her parent or guardian: information on programs, courses, and career technical education options; information on the academic progress of the student; information on remediation strategies, high school courses, and alternative education options available to the student; and information on postsecondary education and training and the availability of financial aid
Requires ongoing professional development related to career and vocational counseling to include strategies for students pursing postsecondary, career technical education, multiple pathway, college, and global career opportunities.
EXISTING LAW:
Authorizes school districts to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all students that include academic counseling, career and vocational counseling, personal and social counseling.
Defines educational counseling to mean specialized services provided by a school counselor possessing a valid Student Personnel Services credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
FISCAL EFFECT: This bill has been keyed non-fiscal by the Office of Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Need for the bill. The author’s office states, “Research has demonstrated, most recently in a 2014 UC Irvine study, that higher numbers of counselors in K-12 schools is strongly associated with higher ratios of college enrollment, among other improved student outcomes.
As California aims to improve its education system and is implementing the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), counselors can play a critical role in addressing equity challenges and meeting the eight state priorities outlined in the Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAP), which include school climate, high school graduation rates, and access to college preparation courses, among others.”
In 2010-11 California had the worst counselor-to-student ratio in the country. The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of one counselor for every 250 students. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics show that as of 2010-2011 the national average was one counselor for every 471 students, and that California had one counselor for every 1,016 students, the worst ratio in the country.
School counseling workforce reduced by one fifth during the recession. A 2012 EdSource report examining the number of school counselors in the state’s 30 largest districts found that the number of counselors in those districts was 21% lower than pre-recession levels. The report also found that few districts issued preliminary layoff notices to counselors in significant numbers in 2012–13, indicating that the reductions have stabilized.
California Standards for the School Counseling Profession. In 2009 the California Association of School Counselors issued a set of standards for the school counseling profession. These standards were intended to address a number of problems resulting from unclear expectations of school counselors, including counseling time being diverted to administrative tasks, poor quality evaluations due to absence of an evaluation specific to school counseling, and poorly structured and incoherent counseling programs. The report noted that, “without clear standards of practice for school counseling, student support programs and services often become a jumble of disconnected services and random acts of guidance.” The provisions of this bill are intended to mirror this set of standards, with updates related to reflect the LCFF and LCAP, and other recent policy, such a restorative justice and positive behavior interventions.
Updating and aligning school counseling with LCAP priorities. Current law requirements for school counseling date to 1987, and do not reflect a number of changes in education policy, including school finance, accountability, discrimination and safety, and college and career readiness. This bill attempts to update counseling statutes by updating them in a number of areas, including referencing elements of the eight state priority areas including of the Local Control Accountability Plans.
Middle and High School Supplemental Counseling eliminated by LCFF. The 2006-2007 Budget Act provided $200 million in ongoing funds to support additional counseling services for students in grades 7-12, and a related trailer bill AB 1802 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 79, Statutes of 2006, established the Middle and High School Supplemental Counseling program to provide additional counseling services to students in grades seven to twelve. School districts were eligible to apply for this funding to support counseling services and to reduce the counselor-to-student ratios. This program became subject to categorical flexibility in 2009, and was eventually eliminated in the transition to LCFF.
Prior legislation. SB 272 (Wiggins) of the 2009-10 Session, was substantially similar to this bill. SB 272 was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger, who stated:
“School district governing boards already have the authority to include the specified program requirements within its comprehensive educational counseling program. Nothing under current law prohibits a district from doing so. As a result, this bill is unnecessary.”
AB 722 (Corbett), Chapter 250, Statutes of 2001, required the California Department of Education to conduct a study to determine the proper ratios of student-to-school counselors necessary to maintain adequate student support services.
AB 1802 (Committee
on Budget), Chapter 79, Statutes of 2006, established the Middle and
High School Supplemental Counseling program to provide additional
counseling services to students in grades seven to twelve.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California Association of School Counselors
California Association for the Gifted
Santa Clara County Office of Education
California State PTA
California Teachers Association
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Tanya Lieberman / ED. / (916) 319-2087
SB 451
Page 4
|
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 451
Amended: 4/29/15
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 8-1, 4/22/15
AYES: Liu, Block, Hancock, Leyva, Mendoza, Monning, Pan, Vidak
NOES: Runner
SUBJECT: Pupil instruction and services: educational counseling
DIGEST: This bill authorizes school districts that choose to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program to include academic counseling, as specified; requires professional development to include strategies for counseling students about educational and career options; and includes legislative intent language regarding the role and responsibilities of school counselors.
Existing law:
Authorizes school districts to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all students that include academic counseling, career and vocational counseling, personal and social counseling. (Education Code § 49600)
Defines educational counseling to mean specialized services provided by a school counselor possessing a valid Pupil Personnel Services credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (EC § 49600)
Requires students, as a condition of graduating from high school, to successfully complete specified coursework, any locally-imposed graduation requirements, and pass the high school exit exam. (EC § 60850)
This bill:
Authorizes school districts that choose to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program to, provide specific academic counseling services such as reviewing student records, meeting with students and parents to discuss a student’s records, educational goals, and academic progress, providing course work information, assisting students having difficulty passing the high school exit exam or its successor, and other services specified.
Modifies the provision requiring school districts that choose to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program to provide career and vocational counseling services such as those that help pupils identify personal interests, skills, and abilities, understand the relationship between academic achievement and career success, and understand the value of participating in career technical education and work-based learning activities, among other things as specified.
States legislative intent that school counselors perform specified functions and services including:
Monitor and improve pupil behavior, collaborate and coordinate with school and community resources, engage in professional development opportunities, use research-based strategies to reduce stigma and conflict and improve student well-being.
Provide counseling intervention and support services, promote and maintain a safe learning environment by providing restorative justice strategies, intervene to address school-related problems, including issues related to chronic absences, implement programs to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of all students.
Requires ongoing professional development related to career and vocational counseling to include strategies for pupils pursing postsecondary, career technical education, multiple pathway, college, and global career opportunities.
Deletes an outdated provision relating to school counselors providing services prior to January 1, 1987.
Makes other technical changes.
Comments
Need for the bill. According to the author, counselors are in a unique position to support teachers, administrators, and schools as they work to improve student outcomes, however, unlike many professions in the state’s K-12 system there are no standards or guidelines for school counselors. The author further asserts as the state implements the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), counselors can play a critical role in meeting the state priorities outlined in the Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAP) including school climate, high school graduation rates, and access to college preparation courses. This bill seeks to improve the quality of educational counseling provided to students by establishing guidelines and standards for school counselors.
Middle and High School Supplemental Counseling program (MHSSCP). The MHSSCP sought to increase the number of school counselors that serve seventh- through twelfth-grade students. These counselors would help to provide students with information on all educational and vocational options available to them and serve students who have failed or are at risk of failing the California High School Exit Exam, as well as students who are at risk of not graduating due to insufficient credits. According to California Department of Education funding for the MHSSCP was included in the Pupil Retention Block Grant, a state-funded categorical program that was discontinued as of the 2013-14 fiscal year and now part of the LCFF. This bill closely aligns guidelines, standards and counseling strategies with similar requirements outlined in MHSSCP.
Existing Standards for School Counselors. Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to provide educational counseling programs administered by credentialed counselors for all students that include academic counseling, career and vocational counseling, personal and social counseling (EC Section 49600). This statue was established in 1987 and according to the California Association of School Counselors do not reflect the issues facing students today, such as school bullying, equity issues or those identified within the eight state priorities.
Under the LCFF local education agencies are required to complete a LCAP. The LCAP must include a district’s annual goals in each of the eight state priority areas which include student achievement, student engagement, student outcomes, school climate, implementation of common core state standards, course access, basic services, and parental involvement. This bill attempts to update educational counseling programs by including elements of the eight state priority areas.
NOTE: See the Senate Education Committee analysis for a full discussion of this bill.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
California Association of School Counselors
California Teachers Association
OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/29/15)
None received
Prepared by: Olgalilia Ramirez / ED. / (916) 651-4105
4/29/15 16:30:47
**** END ****
SB 451 (Lara) Page 4 of 4
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Senator Carol Liu, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: SB 451
Author: |
Lara |
||
Version: |
April 8, 2015 Hearing Date: April 22, 2015 |
||
Urgency: |
No |
Fiscal: |
No |
Consultant: |
Olgalilia Ramirez |
||
Subject: Pupil instruction and services: educational counseling
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes school districts that choose to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program to include academic counseling, as specified; requires professional development to include strategies for counseling students about educational and career options; and includes legislative intent language regarding the role and responsibilities of school counselors.
BACKGROUND
Existing Law:
Authorizes school districts to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program for all students that include academic counseling, career and vocational counseling, personal and social counseling. (Education Code § 49600)
Defines educational counseling to mean specialized services provided by a school counselor possessing a valid Pupil Personnel Services credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (EC § 49600)
Requires students, as a condition of graduating from high school, to successfully complete specified coursework, any locally-imposed graduation requirements, and pass the high school exit exam. (EC § 60850)
ANALYSIS
This bill:
Authorizes school districts that choose to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program to:
Provide specific academic counseling services such as reviewing student records, meeting with students and parents to discuss a student’s records, educational goals, and academic progress, providing course work information, assisting students having difficulty passing the high school exit exam, and other services specified.
Provide career and vocational counseling services such as those that help pupils identify personal interests, skills, and abilities, understand the relationship between academic achievement and career success, and understand the value of participating in career technical education and work-based learning activities, among other things as specified.
States legislative intent that school counselors perform specified functions and services including:
Monitor and improve pupil behavior, collaborate and coordinate with school and community resources, engage in professional development opportunities, use research-based strategies to reduce stigma and conflict and improve student well-being.
Provide counseling intervention and support services, promote and maintain a safe learning environment by providing restorative justice strategies, intervene to address school-related problems, including issues related to chronic absences, implement programs to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of all students.
Requires ongoing professional development related to career and vocational counseling to include strategies for pupils pursing postsecondary, career technical education, multiple pathway, college, and global career opportunities.
Deletes an outdated provision relating to school counselors providing services prior to January 1, 1987.
Makes other technical changes.
STAFF
COMMENTS
Need for the bill. According to the author, counselors are in a unique position to support teachers, administrators, and schools as they work to improve student outcomes, however, unlike many professions in the state’s K-12 system there are no standards or guidelines for school counselors. The author further asserts as the state implements the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), counselors can play a critical role in meeting the state priorities outlined in the Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAP) including school climate, high school graduation rates, and access to college preparation courses. This bill seeks to improve the quality of educational counseling provided to students by establishing guidelines and standards for school counselors.
Middle and High School Supplemental Counseling program (MHSSCP). The MHSSCP sought to increase the number of school counselors that serve seventh- through twelfth-grade students. These counselors would help to provide students with information on all educational and vocational options available to them and serve students who have failed or are at risk of failing the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), as well as students who are at risk of not graduating due to insufficient credits. According to California Department of Education (CDE) funding for the MHSSCP was included in the Pupil Retention Block Grant, a state-funded categorical program that was discontinued as of the 2013-14 fiscal year and now part of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). This bill closely aligns guidelines, standards and counseling strategies with similar requirements outlined in Middle and High School Supplemental School Counseling Program (MHSSCP).
Existing Standards for School Counselors. Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to provide educational counseling programs administered by credentialed counselors for all students that include academic counseling, career and vocational counseling, personal and social counseling (EC Section 49600). This statue was established in 1987 and according to the California Association of School Counselors do not reflect the issues facing students today, such as school bullying, equity issues or those identified within the eight state priorities.
Under Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) local education agencies are required to complete a local control and accountability plan (LCAP). The LCAP must include a district’s annual goals in each of the eight state priority areas which include student achievement, student engagement, student outcomes, school climate, implementation of common core state standards, course access, basic services and parental involvement. This bill attempts to update educational counseling programs by including elements of the eight state priority areas.
California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). Existing law authorizes the development of a high school exit exam in English language arts and math that are aligned with California academic content standards adopted by the State Board of Education. All students in California public schools must satisfy the CAHSEE requirement, as well as all other state and local graduation requirements, to receive a high school diploma. The primary purpose of the CAHSEE is to: (1) significantly improve student achievement in public high schools and (2) to ensure that students who graduate from public high schools can demonstrate grade level competency in reading, writing, and mathematics.
The State Board of Education adopted the California Common Core Standards in English language arts and mathematics in August 2010. The California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) is aligned standards that were adopted by the State Board of Education in 1997. The CAHSEE has not been updated for alignment with current academic content standards. As such, policy conversation around the CAHSEE have included suspending the assessment, updating or replacing the exam with other measurements. This bill makes several references to the high school exit exam and given its uncertain future, staff recommends the bill be amended to include “or its successor” after “high school exit exam.”
5. Correct drafting error. Author’s amendment: The author wishes the bill be amended to correct a drafting error by reinstating the subsection on “career and vocational counseling,” under the section regarding “areas for which pupils are required to receive counseling.” Specifically, on page 3 between lines 24 and 25 insert from page 6 lines 12 to 36.
6. Related and prior legislation.
SB 272 (Wiggins, 2009) would have codified the MHSSCP block grant program by authorizing school districts that choose to provide an educational counseling program to include specific academic, career and vocational counseling. SB 727 was ultimately vetoed by the Governor, whose message read:
School district governing boards already have the authority to
include the specified program requirements within its
comprehensive educational counseling program. Nothing under
current law prohibits a district from doing so. As a result, this bill is
unnecessary.
SUPPORT
California Association of School Counselors
California Teachers Association
OPPOSITION
None received.
-- END --
Discussed in Hearing
Assembly Floor
Senate Floor
Senate Standing Committee on Education
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):