HF 4512

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/04/2024 02:29pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; recommending school counselor ratios; establishing school
counselor duties; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 121A.39.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 121A.39, is amended to read:

121A.39 SCHOOL COUNSELORS.

(a) A school district is strongly encouraged to have an adequate student-to-counselor
ratio for its students deleted text begin beginning in the 2015-2016 school year and later deleted text end . new text begin The legislature
encourages school districts to have the following ratios: one school counselor for every 250
children in prekindergarten or preschool programs and students in kindergarten through
grade 12. When school counselor caseloads exceed the recommended ratios, school
administrators are encouraged to collaborate with school counselors to prioritize needs,
identify strategies that will have the largest impact, and engage other educators in the delivery
of the counseling curriculum.
new text end

(b) A school counselor deleted text begin shall assist a student in meeting the requirements for high school
graduation, college and career exploration, and selection, college affordability planning,
and successful transitions into postsecondary education or training. deleted text end new text begin must provide preventive
and developmental school counseling programs to children in prekindergarten or preschool
programs and students in kindergarten through grade 12 in order to help them enhance their
academic, social and emotional, and postsecondary and career development as part of the
multitiered systems of support. A school counselor must provide services to students as part
of a multitiered systems of support framework under section 121A.201, including:
new text end

new text begin (1) assisting students with academic planning and goal setting;
new text end

new text begin (2) delivering school counseling classroom instruction in the areas of academic, social
and emotional, and postsecondary and career development. A school counselor must provide
instruction that proactively enhances awareness of mental health and promotes positive and
healthy behaviors;
new text end

new text begin (3) providing short-term individual and small group counseling to students and crisis
intervention focused on mental health or situational concerns such as grief or other difficult
transitions;
new text end

new text begin (4) making referrals to appropriate school and community resources for long-term support
for mental health issues, including suicidal ideation, violence, abuse, and depression, to
assist in removing barriers to learning;
new text end

new text begin (5) consulting and collaborating with families, teachers, administrators, school staff,
and community members to support and advocate for the achievement and success of all
students;
new text end

new text begin (6) collecting and analyzing school and student data to identify areas of success, needs,
or challenges, and establishing goals to close gaps in achievement, opportunity, and
information; and
new text end

new text begin (7) acting as a systems change agent to create an environment promoting and supporting
student success in areas such as enrollment patterns, equity, and access.
new text end

new text begin (c) A school district is encouraged to ensure 80 percent of a school counselor's time is
spent providing direct services to students in accordance with paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (d) A school counselor must hold an appropriate license issued by the Professional
Educator Licensing and Standards Board, in accordance with chapter 122A.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2024.
new text end