The student-to-school-counselor ratio is narrowing

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has released recent data that shows the student-to-school-counselor ratio is narrowing – reaching its lowest margin in nearly 32 years.

ASCA has compiled student-to-school-counselor ratio data from the 2018–2019 school year via the most recent available data collected in the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics state nonfiscal public elementary/secondary education survey. According to the survey, the national student-to-school-counselor ratio was 430-to-1 in 2018–2019, compared with 442-to-1 the previous school year. Although the national average has improved, it’s still well above ASCA’s recommended ratio of 250 students per school counselor.

Other key findings in the report:

The District of Columbia is most improved. Since the 2017–2018 report, Washington, D.C., decreased its student-to-school-counselor ratio 15% from 560-to-1 (2017–2018) to 474-to-1 (2018–2019).

Other most improved state student-to-school-counselor ratios include the following:

• Utah improved by 9% from 648-to-1 (2017–2018) to 591-to-1 (2018–2019).
• Colorado improved its school counselor to student ratio by 8% from 350-to-1 (2017–2018) to 324-to-1 (2018–2019).
• Illinois also improved by 8% from 677-to-1 (2017–2018) to 626-to-1 (2018–2019). Kansas improved by 7% from 465-to-1 (2017–2018) to 431-to-1 (2018–2019).

On the other end of the spectrum:

• Nevada saw the most significant worsening of its ratio, moving from 478-to-1 (2017–2018) to 544-to-1 (2018–2019), a 14% change.
• Indiana also saw a negative result, moving from 493-to-1 (2018–2019) up to 521-to-1, a 6% change.

“Recently released research studies highlight the direct correlation between low student-to-school-counselor ratios and positive student outcomes,” said Kwok-Sze Richard Wong, Ed.D., ASCA’s executive director. “This new ratio data shows improvement, but there is still work to be done. Factors including continued advocacy for the profession, increased school district funding and the implementation of school counseling programs in every U.S. school are necessary to ensure every student receives essential support from a school counselor.” The full report is available on the ASCA website. Previous year reports are available upon request.