MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Representative Warren

AN ACT TO PROVIDE AN ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS UNDER THE MINIMUM EDUCATION PROGRAM BASED UPON SCHOOL STUDENT ENROLLMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF EMPLOYING SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS FOR GRADES K-12; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CONDITIONS ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF STATE-FUNDED SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS; TO PRESCRIBE THE COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY STATE-FUNDED COUNSELORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, in addition to other funds allotted under the minimum education program, each school district shall be allotted funding to employ school guidance counselors based upon the following formula:

STATE-FUNDED COUNSELOR STUDENT ENROLLMENT BY SCHOOL

1/2 1-150

1 151-250

1-1/2 251-400

2 401-550

2-1/2 551-700

3 701-850

3-1/2 851-1000

4 1001-1150

4-1/2 1151-1300

5 1301-1450

5-1/2 1451-and over

(2) The State Department of Education may increase the number of positions funded each year beyond the requirements established under subsection (1) as money is made available.

(3) The assignment of state-funded guidance counselors to the particular schools within the district shall be at the discretion of the local school board with the following restrictions:

(a) The counselor:student ratio shall be no greater than 1:250;

(b) No individual may be employed as a school guidance counselor without appropriate training and certification, as determined by the State Department of Education; and

(c) School guidance counselors shall be full-time professional personnel and shall spend a minimum of eighty-five percent (85%) of work time in direct counseling relationships with students.

(4) State-funded school counselors shall provide the following comprehensive counseling services:

(a) Academic and personal or social counseling;

(b) Student assessment and assessment counseling;

(c) Career and educational counseling;

(d) Individual and group counseling (large or small groups);

(e) Crisis intervention and preventive counseling;

(f) Referrals to community agencies;

(g) Educational consultation and collaboration with teachers, administrators, parents and community leaders;

(h) Educational and career placement services; and

(i) Follow-up counseling services.

(5) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any school district from employing with local funds more school guidance counselors than are provided for in this section.

(6) The State Department of Education may adopt rules and regulations regarding the activities of the school guidance counselors which are not inconsistent with this section.

SECTION 2. All new programs authorized under this act are subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.