[Introduced January 30, 2002; referred to the Committee

on Education; and then to the Committee on Finance.]

A BILL to amend and reenact section eighteen-b, article five, chapter eighteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended; and to amend article four, chapter eighteen-a of said code by adding thereto a new section, designated section two-b, all relating to public school counselors; making legislative findings with respect to the importance of counseling for providing a thorough and efficient education for all students; establishing recommended number of students per counselor and providing for additional pay when number exceeded; requiring state board rule conforming to national standards for counseling programs to the extent practicable and certain other provisions, including minimum standards for supervision of counselors and minimum required annual staff development related to school counseling; clarifying administrative activities to which counselors may devote a portion of their time and certain duties which may not be the duties of counselors; providing for a statewide salary supplement for counselors who hold national certification and counselors who are licensed in this state or who are both nationally certified and licensed; and providing for reimbursement of expenses for national certification subject to legislative appropriation.

§18-5-18b. School counselors in public schools.

(a) The Legislature finds that high quality school counseling programs impact student skills and facilitate learning opportunities in an active and preventive manner that ensures all students can achieve school success through academic, career and personal/social development experiences. As specialists in child and adolescent development, school counselors coordinate the objectives, strategies and activities of a comprehensive and developmental school counseling program to meet the personal, social, educational and career development needs of all students. School counselors advocate for all students as they strive to meet the challenges and demands of the school system and prepare for the transition to options after high school. School counselors call attention to situations in schools that are defeating or frustrating students and thereby hindering their success. School counseling programs empower students to overcome obstacles to school achievement and ensure access to appropriate services for students with varying degrees of needs. Therefore, high quality school counseling services are essential for a thorough and efficient system of schools wherein all students achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and realize their full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community.

By the school year two thousand ten, and thereafter, the recommended number of students per counselor shall be two hundred fifty. If the number of students for whom a counselor is responsible exceeds two hundred seventy-five, the counselor shall be paid an additional salary supplement of five hundred dollars for the school year, which supplement shall be increased by an additional five hundred dollars for each additional twenty-five students.

The rules adopted by the state board shall conform to the extent practicable to the national standards for school counseling programs established by the American school counselor association. The rules shall further include: (1) Minimum standards for the supervision of counseling services at the state and county level to ensure a uniform high quality in the delivery of counseling service to all students; and (2) minimum required annual staff development approved by the department of education for all counselors employed in the public schools.
(f)

including, but not limited to, college and career planning programs, career and college fairs, financial aid workshops, organizing group college visits, bringing in career focused speakers, disseminating information on college organized student visitation programs and disseminating information on opportunities for job shadowing, community service, work experience programs related to career majors and the availability of dual credit and college courses for high school students; classroom guidance programs including computer labs to educate students about the changing job market; organizing developmental guidance, preventive focused programs and other such student-centered activities consistent with the national standards for school counseling; writing letters of recommendation for students containing discriminate information; providing a communication link to community mental health agencies and resources; supervising the maintenance of student records; and maintaining accurate counseling case notes. The duties of counselors may not include: Filing student records and forms; data entry; duplication of documents and materials for distribution; and other activities of a clerical nature that limit the amount of time available for counselors to spend on their counseling duties.
(h)

§18A-4-2b. State minimum salary supplement for certified and licensed school counselors.