More college and career training needed for school counselors, lawmakers say


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SALT LAKE CITY — School counselors are trained to help students graduate from high school. But Utah lawmakers are hoping to better equip school counselors with the knowledge and skills necessary to help students prepare for college and beyond.

HB198 would appropriate a $440,000 grant from the education fund to create an online training program to certify counselors as "highly skilled" at providing college and career counseling, helping students enroll in necessary courses and find scholarships where available.

"Just like we want to have a teacher who's up to date on math or science and have specific training there, we want to make sure that our counselors have specific training in college and career readiness," bill sponsor Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Millcreek, said Monday.

The bill requires the Utah State Office of Education to collaborate with the Utah State Board of Regents, industry partners and other stakeholders to develop the 120-hour program for working counselors who choose to participate.

The one-time funding appropriation would be enough to enroll about 600 counselors. If demand for the program is high, the Legislature may consider appropriating additional funds, Arent said.

She said the training program needs to be developed on the state level because many school districts don't have the resources to create one locally, and funds appropriated through the weighted pupil unit are already spoken for in many cases.

"This cannot be done on a local basis," Arent said.

Melissa Kincart, assistant commissioner for outreach and access at the Utah System of Higher Education, said Utah schools need more counselors who are up to date on the most effective ways for students to navigate college pathways.

"We need more students to come to the Utah System of Higher Education and our other colleges and universities more ready to actually be there," Kincart said. "We are excited about this bill, that it invests in professional development for school counselors, provides them the training and resources that they need, and also invests in the certification."

Jerre Holmes, superintendent of the North Summit School District, said he's seen a strong desire from school counselors to further their abilities to help students through important steps toward college completion and successful employment.

"You can see the preparation that's gone into this (bill), counselors leading the charge who want to be better. It's their opportunity to serve our kids better as they transition from public education to higher education," Holmes said.

The bill has already passed the House and was unanimously recommended by the Senate Education Committee on Monday. It will now be considered by the full Senate. Email: mjacobsen@deseretnews.com Twitter: MorganEJacobsen

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