What's happening
This bill directs the commissioner of education to evaluate and recommend improvements to public school guidance counseling services for grades 8-12.
Why it matters
Examining counselor-student ratios and availability. By requiring detailed analysis of the ratio of guidance counselors to students and the number of hours counselors are available, the bill aims to highlight potential gaps in support for students, which could influence future funding or staffing policies.
Focusing on actual student interaction. The mandate to evaluate how much time counselors spend with each student, and how many students receive counseling each quarter, could uncover disparities in access or reveal whether students are getting meaningful guidance, not just nominal contact.
Assessing the scope and frequency of services. By studying what types of services are provided and how frequently, the legislation seeks to ensure that students receive comprehensive support—academic, social, and emotional—at a critical stage of their education.
Potential for legislative change. By directing the commissioner to propose new legislation based on findings, the bill sets the stage for systemic reform, possibly leading to requirements for counselor staffing, new programs, or broader changes in how student support is structured in New York public schools.
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Who cares
State Education Department
The commissioner would have to study guidance counseling for public school students in grades 8 through 12 and submit findings, recommendations and any proposed legislation by January 1, 2020.
Public school guidance counselors
The study would examine their caseloads, time spent with students, quarterly interviews, services and daily availability.
Public schools and school districts
The commissioner would examine counseling services and access at the school and district levels, alongside statewide measures.
Public school students in grades 8 through 12
The study would recommend the types and frequency of guidance counseling services they should receive.
Headline styles
Study School Guidance Services
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 17
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.960
- Print number 2105a
- Amend and recommit to education
- Referred to education
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to education
Show 5 earlier actions
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1859
- Reported and committed to rules
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study School Counselor Services
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Marcos Crespo
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2105--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 12, 2017
Introduced by Sen. FELDER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education -- recommitted to the Committee on Education in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to direct the commissioner of education to examine, evaluate and make recommendations on the provision of services by public school guidance counselors to students in grades 8 through 12
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of education is hereby directed to examine, evaluate and make recommendations on the provision of services to public school students in grades 8 through 12 by guidance counselors. Such commissioner shall study, with particular care:
(a) the ratio of guidance counselors to students in grades 8 through 12, by public school, school district and statewide;
(b) the amount of time each guidance counselor spends with each student in grades 8 through 12 during a school year, by public school, school district and statewide;
(c) the number of students in grades 8 through 12 each guidance counselor interviews during a school quarter, by public school, school district and statewide;
(d) the number of students in each grade that are interviewed by a guidance counselor during a school quarter, by public school, school district and statewide;
(e) the services guidance counselors provide to students in grades 8 through 12, by public school and school district;
(f) the number of hours guidance counselors are available to students in grades 8 through 12 each school day, by public school, school district and statewide;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04804-02-8
S. 2105--A 2
(g) the types and frequency of guidance counselor services that should be provided to public school students in grades 8 through 12.
§ 2. On or before January 1, 2020, the commissioner of education shall submit a report of his or her findings, conclusions and recommendations to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, and the chairs of the senate and assembly committees on education. Such report shall also include such legislative proposals as the commissioner deems necessary to implement his or her recommendations.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Purpose
To direct the commissioner of education to examine, evaluate, and make recommendations on the provision of services by public school guidance counselors to students in grades 8 through 12
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill requires the commissioner of education to (a) determine the ratio of guidance counselors to students; (b) the amount of time guidance counselors spend with students in a school year; (c) the number of students guidance counselors interview in a school quar- ter; (d) the number of students in each grade that are interviewed by a guidance counselor during a quarter; (e) the services guidance counse- lors provide to students; (f) the number of hours guidance counselors are available to students each school day; and (g) the type of services that should be provided.
Section 2 of the bill requires the Commissioner of Education to submit a report that shall include legislative proposals.
Section 3 of the bill is the effective date.
Justification
School counselors can be a vital piece of the college readiness puzzle for high school students. For instance, guidance counselors encouraging students to take AP courses, help students through the college applica- tion and financial aid process, and also connect students with community resources to help them succeed both during high school and after gradu- ation. School counselors work in collaboration with the entire school community and are committed to the education and emotional development of all students. However, many counselors are bogged down with tasks that don't allow them to put their skills to work. In addition, there is also a concern that the student to counselor ratio may be too high, which makes it difficult for the counselor to help students achieve their goals, whether it be college or work. This bill would require the Commissioner of Education to undertake a comprehensive study of guidance counselors on a school district and statewide basis to come up with proposals to implement recommendations to help guidance counselors fulfill their roll.
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.