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Welcome to the California School Counselor Association Website. A gauntlet has been thrown down by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in the form of $200 million funding for school counselors and other support services. School counselors have been given the opportunity to take on the challenge of helping California schools to increase student test scores, cut back on junior and high school dropout and to provide direction for students to be better prepared to become employed after high school or to pursue postsecondary educational endeavors of their choice. Just two years ago hundreds of school counselors were losing their jobs to budget cuts. Fortunately, however, in the school years 2006-07 and 2007-08, school counselors are in great demand, primarily because of the state budget funding increases for school counselors. The question that many politicians, school administrators and others within the educational community are asking is, “will the increased presence of counselors in the schools make a difference?” The answer to that question has to be a resounding “YES!” It is going to be up to school counselors, with the help of others, to not only make a difference in the schools, but we must also be able to document that a difference has been made. School counselors must solicit the help of our colleagues in the schools (teachers, administrators and other school support personnel) to join forces to take advantage of this opportunity to help California junior and senior high school students improve their chances of being successful in life. Research has shown that there is a positive correlation between those individuals who are successful in life and their academic grades in school, their test scores, active involvement in team sports and other school activities. School counselors must incorporate whatever preventive measures are needed in the California school systems to improve upon the existing situation. Early interventions and the immediate application of creative solutions to existing barriers to learning will be the new order of the day. As president of this organization, I stand ready and committed to help make things happen in California schools. I invite you (the reader) to join me in this monumental endeavor. Again, I say, WELCOME ABOARD!!! |
