Reduces the student-to-counselor ratio in public schools to 250:1 in grades kindergarten to twelve.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. A counseling program in a school promotes and enhances the learning process by providing a means of continuously assessing student needs, identifying barriers to student success, and advocating for the elimination of those barriers. However, the department of education estimates that the student-to-counselor ratio during the 2000–2001 school year will be 299 to 1. While this is significantly better than the current national average student-to-counselor ratio of 561 to 1, it still creates caseloads for counselors too large for them to work effectively with students. If students are to be truly given the chance to be successful in school and develop into productive members of society, then counselor caseloads must be reduced to a maximum student-to-counselor ratio of 250 to 1, a benchmark endorsed by the American School Health Association, National Education Association, American School Counselors Association, and American Counselors Association.

The purpose of the Act is to reduce the student-to-counselor ratio in public schools to 250 to 1 in grades kindergarten to twelve.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A- Student-to-counselor ratio. The department shall maintain a student-to-counselor ratio no greater than 250 to 1 in grades kindergarten to twelve."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, to reduce the student-to-counselor ratio in public schools to 250 to 1 in grades kindergarten to twelve.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.