BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 451|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 451
Author: Lara (D)
Amended: 4/29/15
Vote: 21
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 8-1, 4/22/15
AYES: Liu, Block, Hancock, Leyva, Mendoza, Monning, Pan, Vidak
NOES: Runner
SUBJECT: Pupil instruction and services: educational
counseling
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This bill authorizes school districts that choose to
provide a comprehensive educational counseling program to
include academic counseling, as specified; requires professional
development to include strategies for counseling students about
educational and career options; and includes legislative intent
language regarding the role and responsibilities of school
counselors.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
1)Authorizes school districts to provide a comprehensive
educational counseling program for all students that include
academic counseling, career and vocational counseling,
personal and social counseling. (Education Code § 49600)
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2)Defines educational counseling to mean specialized services
provided by a school counselor possessing a valid Pupil
Personnel Services credential issued by the Commission on
Teacher Credentialing. (EC § 49600)
3)Requires students, as a condition of graduating from high
school, to successfully complete specified coursework, any
locally-imposed graduation requirements, and pass the high
school exit exam. (EC § 60850)
This bill:
1)Authorizes school districts that choose to provide a
comprehensive educational counseling program to, provide
specific academic counseling services such as reviewing
student records, meeting with students and parents to discuss
a student's records, educational goals, and academic progress,
providing course work information, assisting students having
difficulty passing the high school exit exam or its successor,
and other services specified.
2)Modifies the provision requiring school districts that choose
to provide a comprehensive educational counseling program to
provide career and vocational counseling services such as
those that help pupils identify personal interests, skills,
and abilities, understand the relationship between academic
achievement and career success, and understand the value of
participating in career technical education and work-based
learning activities, among other things as specified.
3)States legislative intent that school counselors perform
specified functions and services including:
a) Monitor and improve pupil behavior, collaborate and
coordinate with school and community resources, engage in
professional development opportunities, use research-based
strategies to reduce stigma and conflict and improve
student well-being.
b) Provide counseling intervention and support services,
promote and maintain a safe learning environment by
providing restorative justice strategies, intervene to
address school-related problems, including issues related
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to chronic absences, implement programs to promote the
academic, career, personal, and social development of all
students.
4)Requires ongoing professional development related to career
and vocational counseling to include strategies for pupils
pursing postsecondary, career technical education, multiple
pathway, college, and global career opportunities.
5)Deletes an outdated provision relating to school counselors
providing services prior to January 1, 1987.
6)Makes other technical changes.
Comments
1)Need for the bill. According to the author, counselors are in
a unique position to support teachers, administrators, and
schools as they work to improve student outcomes, however,
unlike many professions in the state's K-12 system there are
no standards or guidelines for school counselors. The author
further asserts as the state implements the Local Control
Funding Formula (LCFF), counselors can play a critical role in
meeting the state priorities outlined in the Local Control
Accountability Plans (LCAP) including school climate, high
school graduation rates, and access to college preparation
courses. This bill seeks to improve the quality of educational
counseling provided to students by establishing guidelines and
standards for school counselors.
2)Middle and High School Supplemental Counseling program
(MHSSCP). The MHSSCP sought to increase the number of school
counselors that serve seventh- through twelfth-grade students.
These counselors would help to provide students with
information on all educational and vocational options
available to them and serve students who have failed or are at
risk of failing the California High School Exit Exam, as well
as students who are at risk of not graduating due to
insufficient credits. According to California Department of
Education funding for the MHSSCP was included in the Pupil
Retention Block Grant, a state-funded categorical program that
was discontinued as of the 2013-14 fiscal year and now part of
the LCFF. This bill closely aligns guidelines, standards and
counseling strategies with similar requirements outlined in
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MHSSCP.
3)Existing Standards for School Counselors. Existing law
authorizes the governing board of a school district to provide
educational counseling programs administered by credentialed
counselors for all students that include academic counseling,
career and vocational counseling, personal and social
counseling (EC Section 49600). This statue was established in
1987 and according to the California Association of School
Counselors do not reflect the issues facing students today,
such as school bullying, equity issues or those identified
within the eight state priorities.
Under the LCFF local education agencies are required to complete
a LCAP. The LCAP must include a district's annual goals in each
of the eight state priority areas which include student
achievement, student engagement, student outcomes, school
climate, implementation of common core state standards, course
access, basic services, and parental involvement. This bill
attempts to update educational counseling programs by including
elements of the eight state priority areas.
NOTE: See the Senate Education Committee analysis for a full
discussion of this bill.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 4/29/15)
California Association of School Counselors
California Teachers Association
OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/29/15)
None received
Prepared by:Olgalilia Ramirez / ED. / (916) 651-4105
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4/29/15 16:30:47
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