Statements
This Wednesday, Speak Up for Education & Kids by Participating in National Call In Day
TAKE ACTION:
- On Wednesday, May 26, 2010 call 1-866-608-6355 to contact your representative in Congress.
- You will hear talking points (also provided below) and will be connected to the United States Capitol Switchboard; ask for your House member.
- Tell your representative to support including funding to save education jobs in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill.
- Forward this call-in day information to five friends. Ask them to call Congress and to forward this e-mail on to five more friends.
Congress can't ignore a strong message from all across the nation. Make your voice heard! Participate in the National Call-In Day, and speak up for education and kids
Talking Points for National Call In Day:
- I am calling to urge Representative XXXX to support including funding to save education jobs in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill.
- This is a national emergency; 300,000 educators are losing their jobs across the country.
- Our children are the ones who will suffer - in overcrowded classrooms, with less time in school and with fewer student support personnel like school counselors.
- Support emergency funding to save educators' jobs. Our children's future is in your hands.
Response to the Public Agenda Study:
"Can I Get a Little Advice Here"
The recent report (“Can I Get a Little Advice Here”) by Public Agenda and featured in USA Today and the New York Times brings to light the challenges school counselors face and how those challenges ultimately affect students. The serious shortage of school counselors threatens our ability to serve all students to the best of our abilities. This report presents a good opportunity to effect substantial and needed change in the education system.
Our job as school counselors is to help students improve academic achievement, career and postsecondary education planning and personal/social development for every student. Unfortunately non-counseling duties often limit our ability to provide students with the assistance they need. The facts are clear: the ratio of students to school counselors is too high. The recommended ratio is 250 students to 1 school counselor, but the current K-12 national average is 460 to 1 and in some districts and schools, it’s as high as 1,000 to 1.
Through the American School Counselor Association and the Georgia School Counselors Association, we will continue to work with policymakers, education leaders and other organizations to place more certified professional school counselors in our schools and to allow us to do what we are trained and hired to do.
Demetria Williams, President-Elect
demetria@gaschoolcounselors.com
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