|
Advocacy |
Want to know how the WSCA Advocacy Committee is working to increase state-level funding for all school counselors? 2025 WSCA Legislative PrioritiesWe will be sending updates on how we are advocating for counselors with our state’s lawmakers, and ask for feedback on important issues as needed. The WSCA WatchThis monthly update will provide members with important information regarding school counselor advocacy. As WSCA members, we must always ‘keep watch’ and advocate for our profession and for our students - just like our historic lighthouse keepers, who would diligently watch and keep the light shining to aid in navigation. The WSCA Watch aims to provide more updates from the WSCA advocacy team and equip members with useful tools to advocate for themselves as they navigate school systems and their careers. October 2024School Counselor LegislationWA School Counseling Legislation on OSPI websiteSchool counselors must be certified and deliver a comprehensive school counseling program based on the national standards for school counseling programs of the American school counselor association. A minimum of one full-time person, or equivalent, shall be provided for counseling and guidance services. Personnel assigned to...counseling and guidance responsibilities shall have a minimum of one year of training beyond the bachelor's degree including... (click link for more details). Differentiates the roles of 3 ESA's: school counselors, school psychologists and school social workers. Also acknowledges these professionals are involved in multi-tiered systems of support for academic and behavioral skills. RCW 28A.320.600, RCW 628A.320.610, and RCW 28A.320.620 Detail the requirements of district comprehensive school counseling program plans aligned with the national school counseling model and implementation expectations. This legislation requires, among other things, that staff implementing the comprehensive school counseling program spend 80% of their time in direct and indirect service to students. |