MS HB125

Beginning in fiscal year 2010-2011, school districts receive funding under the Adequate Education Program to employ one elementary school counselor per year until each elementary school has at least one state-funded counselor.

If insufficient funding is appropriated, the State Department of Education prioritizes allocation to districts at the three lowest accreditation levels with the greatest documented need, based on crime/violence rates, free lunch participation, and dropout rates.

Elementary school counselors must hold a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling (or emergency certification), work full-time, spend at least 75 percent of work time in direct counseling, and provide comprehensive services including academic counseling, crisis intervention, and career guidance.

The counselor-to-student ratio in elementary schools cannot exceed 1:500 or must be one counselor per school building, whichever is greater, and annual appropriations for elementary counselors cannot be reduced until this ratio is achieved statewide.

The State Department of Education shall employ a supervisor of counselors to oversee both new elementary and existing secondary counseling programs.