Hawaii Senate Bill SCR92

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Board Of Education, In Partnership With The Department Of Education, To Produce A Plan For Adhering To School Counselor Best Practices.

Impact

The proposed resolution aims to address significant issues facing Hawaii's educational system, particularly concerning students transitioning from high school to higher education. It notes that only half of Hawaii public school graduates enrolled in postsecondary institutions in the year following their graduation, which points to a need for more dedicated support mechanisms. Implementing a year-round school counselor model is presented as a solution to mitigate issues such as the 'summer melt' phenomenon, where many accepted students fail to attend their chosen colleges due to lack of ongoing support.

Summary

SCR92 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution from the State of Hawaii requesting the Board of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Education, to develop a comprehensive plan that adheres to best practices for school counselors. It emphasizes the essential role of school counselors in supporting the academic, career, social, and emotional development of students, thereby promoting equity and access to educational opportunities. The resolution highlights that a well-structured school counseling program can aid students in navigating postsecondary education and career readiness effectively.

Contention

While SCR92 appears primarily constructive, it anticipates various challenges in execution, such as ensuring adequate counselor staffing in schools to meet the American School Counselor Association's recommended ratios. It calls for alignment of job descriptions and appropriate resource allocation for school counselors, as many counselors reportedly struggle with focusing on student services due to administrative burdens. The resolution also intends to encourage further development of comprehensive counseling programs tailored to the diverse needs of the student population in Hawaii.