HB81 asks Utah State School Board to reimagine how school counselors serve students

HB81 asks Utah State School Board to reimagine how school counselors serve students

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Board of Education would reimagine how school counselors serve students under HB81, which was unanimously endorsed by the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Susan Pulsipher, R-South Jordan, calls on the state board to study duties of school counselors and adopt rules that prohibit school counselors from certain activities.

School counselors are called on to assist in multiple ways, such as administering tests, changing students' schedules and helping them select classes as they work toward graduation and college.

Increasingly, there is a need for counselors to help students experiencing anxiety and other challenges, she said.

Students tell Pulsipher they are often frustrated they cannot access a counselor in timely manner.

"Our counselors do an amazing job of helping our students. We ask a lot of them," she said.

HB81 asks the board to examine counselor duties and determine if other school employees, such as aides, could change student schedules or if other employees could proctor tests.

The bill also requires the State School Board to report to state lawmakers on its rule making during the Legislature's interim meetings.

The bill moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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