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SALT LAKE CITY -- Despite a lack of money, state educators seem to be dedicated to making sure there are more counselors in Utah's junior high and high schools.
The state is looking to secure one counselor for every 350 students. That's worse than the national recommendation of 1-to-100, but better than the 500 or 600 students per counselor in some schools in growing areas of the state.
"Realistically a counselor can't do anything on an individual basis if they have numbers above one hundred," says Dawn Stephenson with the Utah State Office of Education.
She and her colleague in the counseling office, Lillian Tsosie-Jensen, will present a report to the State Board of Education Thursday about what Utah districts are doing to get more counselors.
"It's very important, just that one on one attention and giving them guidance," says Tsosie-Jensen.
They say they are encouraged by how much counselors do right now, and how state officials are dedicated to the issue despite tight budgets.
"With well-implemented programs our students score better on every area of the ACT tests, they are less likely to identify their preparation program as general and they have a clearer idea of what they are doing after high school," Stevenson says.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
