FSCA: Letter from FSCA President

Dear Colleagues, March 8th marked the opening day of the legislative session in Tallahassee that may adversely affect School Counselors in Florida more than at any other time in history. We need all Florida School Counselors to stand together and speak with one loud voice that we are vitally important to the academic, personal/social, and future career success of all students in Florida.  The role of school counselors and school counseling programs positively impact students in ways that are unique and critical. We need your help. First, join FSCA and become familiar with our Advocacy work.  Please visit our website at www.fla-schoolcounselor.org for more information and important links as this session unfolds. Second, we need you to pitch in and write your legislators, school board members, those that represent your district, and local media. Let them know that they need to be mindful of the impact of their budget changes on school counseling programs. In addition, here are several important points to include in your communications: School counselors develop comprehensive programs that address students’ academic, personal, social, and career needs in unique ways that directly impacts their college and career readiness. Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, professional school counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiences for all students. Professional school counselors support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community. Professional school counselors develop and implement data/needs-driven, standards-based and research-supported programs, and engage in continuous program evaluation activities. The American School Counselor Association National standards recommends, and reality necessitates, a ratio of one counselor to 250 students (1:250). School counselors are rigorously trained to assist students who face unique and diverse challenges, both personally and developmentally, that have an impact on academic achievement. Comprehensive developmental school counseling programs provide education, prevention and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. Early identification and intervention of children’s academic and personal/social needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic achievement. You can access contact information for your legislators online at http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find. Governor Scott can be reached on his website at http://www.flgov.com/. Sincerely, Christopher B. Smith President Florida School Counselor Association School Counselor, Beacon High School Blue Ridge International Academy Sheltered GED Program