ADD REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL

AND MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELORS

House Bill 4552 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Brett Roberts

Committee:  Workforce and Talent Development

Complete to 5-6-15

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4552 would amend Section 1233 of the Revised School Code by adding a requirement that Middle and High School counselors either complete coursework regarding the college preparation and selection process and career counseling, or have at least three years' experience counseling grades 6-12 and be proficient in college preparation and career counseling.

The bill would take effect 90 days after it is enacted. Within three years following that date, an individual must either (1) have completed a 45-hour course covering counseling about the college preparation and selection process and a separate 30-hour course covering career counseling; or (2) have three years' experience counseling in grades 6-12 and have demonstrated proficiency in counseling about the college preparation and selection process and career counseling. If an individual does not meet one of these requirements, the board of a school district or of an intermediate school district would be prohibited from allowing that individual to serve as a counselor.

"Demonstrated proficiency" would be determined by the state Department of Education based on standards developed by the Michigan College Access Network and approved by the department. The state superintendent of public instruction would promulgate or modify rules as necessary to implement the coursework and proficiency requirement.

For purposes of this requirement, "career counseling" would include, but would not be limited to, exploration of the skilled trades, as well as other careers and pathways that lead to industry credentials awarded in recognition of an individual's attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to obtain employment or advance within an occupation.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Generally speaking, the board of a school district or intermediate school district is currently prohibited from allowing an individual to serve as a school counselor unless that individual meets one or more of the following three sets of requirements:

(1)   Holds a valid teaching certificate with a school counseling endorsement.

(2)   Meets all of the following:

o   Holds a master's degree awarded after completion of an approved school counselor education program that includes at least all of the following skills and content areas or their equivalent:

·         Guidance services--philosophy, principles, and practices

·         Individual and group analysis--nature and range of human characteristics and appraisal methods

·         Guidance information--vocational development theory, educational and occupational information

·         Counseling theory and practice--individual and group procedures, administration and coordination relationships, professional relationships, and ethics

·         Supervised experiences--laboratory, practicum, or internship

·         Evaluation--statistics and research methodology, follow-up evaluation, and measurement methods

o   Has successfully completed the department's guidance counselor examination.

o   Has been recommended by an approved school counselor education program to provide services as a school counselor.

(3) Meets both of the following:

o   Has at least five years of successful experience serving in a school counseling role in another state within the immediately preceding seven-year period.

o   Has successfully completed the department's guidance counselor examination.

The new requirements in House Bill 4552 would be in addition to current requirements.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill could increase costs for the state by requiring the Department of Education to review and approve counseling course content and curricula and create counseling proficiency standards, but would have no fiscal impact for local school districts.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Josh Roesner

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Samuel Christensen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.