Student Support
Support Students By Increasing Counseling Services
As supporters of the Whole Child Initiative, we understand that students' basic physiological and psychological needs must be satisfied before they can fully engage in learning, relationships, and community. Many students come to school with unmet needs, including a disproportionate number of students from low-income homes. As a result, these students are often less motivated, more alienated, and poorer academic performers than their more affluent peers. School counselors, psychologists, and social workers provide invaluable support to both students and teachers that profoundly impacts student achievement.
Research has shown that student achievement is significantly and positively impacted in schools with at least one counselor for every 250 students, as recommended by the American School Counselor Association and American Counseling Association. Yet many schools have as many as 1,000 students for every counselor. In addition, many elementary schools have no counselors. Furthermore, the School Social Work Association of America recommends at least one school social worker for every 400 students and the National Association of School Psychologists recommends having at least one school psychologist for every 1,000 students.
What does support have to do with achievement?
Did you know that school counselors, social workers, and psychologists not only support students, but also teachers? For example, classroom teachers receive guidance in classroom management, helping them utilize effective strategies to meet the academic and behavioral needs of each child. Research has repeatedly found that increased student support improves academic outcomes. Check out The Student To Counselor Ratio: Does it Matter? to learn more about the importance of the student-counselor ratio.
What is the costof not supporting the whole child?
School counselors, psychologists, and social workers provide invaluable support, resulting in stronger bonds between students and the school community. School connectedness increases educational motivation, classroom engagement, and attendance, which are linked to higher academic achievement. When students aren't connected to their schools, research has found increased rates of disruptive behavior, substance and tobacco use, emotional distress, and the early onset of sexual activity.
A common finding in research on a variety of educational issues is the tremendous influence of positive, respectful, and supportive relationships between students and adults within the school and community. School counselors, psychologists, and social workers are key components in supporting positive adult-student relationships with many of the most vulnerable students.
An investment in school counselors, psychologists, and social workers is an investment in student academic achievement and social wellbeing.
