2025 Senate Resolution 8

Whereas, The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has designated the week of February 3-7, 2025, as “National School Counseling Week”; and

Whereas, School counseling programs are considered an integral part of the educational process that enables all students to achieve success in school; and

Whereas, School counselors can encourage students to pursue challenging academic courses to prepare them for college majors and careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields; and

Whereas, In order to ensure that students are college or career ready and aware of financial aid and college opportunities, school counselors play a vital role. Counselors assist students in identifying postsecondary educational options and prepare them to enroll in college, in addition to providing social and emotional guidance; and

Whereas, Students are able to explore their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents because of school counselors who are committed to them. School counselors also help students cope with the serious and common challenges of growing up, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, school violence, disciplinary problems, and problems in the home; and

Whereas, School counselors work with parents, guardians, teachers, and other educators to help students explore their potential and set realistic goals for themselves, while also seeking to identify and utilize community resources that can enhance comprehensive school counseling programs and ultimately help students become productive members of society; and

Whereas, The importance of personal and social development in contributing to academic achievement have long been emphasized by school counselors. They help develop well-rounded students by navigating the way in academic, social-emotional, and career development; and

Whereas, The average student-to-counselor ratio in Michigan’s public schools is 598-to-1, compared to the 250-to-1 ratio recommended by the ASCA and the National Association for College Admission; and

Whereas, The celebration of National School Counseling Week increases awareness about the important and necessary role school counselors play in the lives of students in Michigan and the United States; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize February 3-7, 2025, as School Counseling Week.