III 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 477 

Designating the week of February 3 through 7, 2020, as ‘‘National School 

Counseling Week’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JANUARY 16, 2020 

Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. KING, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. 

CASEY, Mr. COONS, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. DURBIN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, 

Ms. HASSAN, Mr. WYDEN, Ms. BALDWIN, Ms. CANTWELL, Ms. CORTEZ

MASTO, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. MARKEY, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Ms. SMITH, Ms. 

HIRONO, Mr. SANDERS, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, and Mr. MERKLEY) submitted 

the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating the week of February 3 through 7, 2020, as 

‘‘National School Counseling Week’’. 

Whereas the American School Counselor Association has designated February 3 through 7, 2020, as ‘‘National School 

Counseling Week’’; 

Whereas school counselors have long advocated for equitable 

opportunities for all students; 

Whereas school counselors help develop well-rounded students 

by guiding students through academic learning, social 

and emotional development, and career exploration; 

Whereas personal and social growth can help lead to increased academic achievement; 


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•SRES 477 ATS 

Whereas school counselors play a vital role in ensuring that 

students are ready for both college and careers; 

Whereas school counselors play a vital role in making students aware of opportunities for financial aid and college 

scholarships; 

Whereas school counselors assist with and coordinate efforts 

to foster a positive school climate, resulting in a safer 

learning environment for all students; 

Whereas school counselors have been instrumental in helping 

students, teachers, and parents deal with personal trauma as well as tragedies in their communities and the 

United States; 

Whereas students face myriad challenges every day, including 

peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, the deployment of family members to serve in conflicts overseas, 

and school violence; 

Whereas a school counselor is one of the few professionals in 

a school building who is trained in both education and social and emotional development; 

Whereas the roles and responsibilities of school counselors are 

often misunderstood; 

Whereas the school counselor position is often among the 

first to be eliminated to meet budgetary constraints; 

Whereas the national average ratio of students to school 

counselors is 442 to 1, almost twice the 250 to 1 ratio 

recommended by the American School Counselor Association, the National Association for College Admission 

Counseling, and other organizations; and 

Whereas the celebration of National School Counseling Week 

will increase awareness of the important and necessary 


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•SRES 477 ATS 

role school counselors play in the lives of students in the 

United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates the week of February 3 through 

3 7, 2020, as ‘‘National School Counseling Week’’; 

4 and 

5 (2) encourages the people of the United States 

6 to observe National School Counseling Week with 

7 appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote 

8 awareness of the role school counselors play in 

9 schools and the community at large in preparing 

10 students for fulfilling lives as contributing members 

11 of society. 

Æ 


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