BILL NUMBER: S831

SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring a guidance
counselor in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and
senior high school

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

This bill adds a new section 803-b to the Education Law to require at
least one full-time certified or licensed school guidance counselor in
any elementary, intermediate, middle or junior high school exclusive of
any school guidance counselors funded or mandated through special educa-
tion funding, aid, regulation, or statute and delineates some of their
responsibilities.

Section 2 establishes that this act shall take effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:
              

Schoolchildren in New York face numerous challenges both in and out of
the classroom everyday. Today's children face a challenging urban envi-
ronment with dwindling guidance services that were routinely available
years ago. Violence on the playground and the street can be a common-
place reminder of abuse, both physical and emotional, that children
might be subject to at home. For many children it can be a struggle to
reach their potential academically, socially and emotionally. School
guidance counselors are prepared to assist students to address and
combat these challenges in a successful and positive way. In many cases
guidance counselors can intervene early and help the student get the
support services needed to prevent any further hindrance to their
success. It is a sad reality that many children do not receive the early
intervention needed to prevent long-term problems and are often unneces-
sarily and inappropriately referred to special education. With the aid
of a school guidance counselor, many long-term problems can be averted.

There are some school districts in New York State that fund not even one
school guidance counselor in the entire district, with the exception of
guidance counselors mandated for special education. In order for schools
to have an effective guidance program that meets the needs of their
large, diverse student populations, each school must be adequately
staffed by at least one certified or licensed school guidance counselor.
This legislation would provide that.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2020: S5699 Gounardes - Referred to Education
2019: S5699 Gounardes - Referred to Education
2018: S8169 Hamilton - Referred to Education

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.