Bill Text: IN HB1295 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: School counselors.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-02-08 - First reading: referred to Committee on Education and Career Development [HB1295 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2010-HB1295-Amended.html
Citations Affected: IC 20-20; IC 20-28; noncode.
Synopsis: School counselors. Establishes specific target
counselor/student ratios to be used for the hiring of school counselors,
school social workers, and school psychologists. Requires the
department of education, in cooperation with other appropriate
associations, to develop a uniform job description for school
counselors. Requires individuals seeking initial licensure for school
counseling to provide evidence of performance in certain areas. Makes
a technical correction.
Effective: July 1, 2010.
January 12, 2010, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
January 21, 2010, reported _ Do Pass.
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
education.
(1) The superintendent of the school corporation must apply to the department for a grant on forms provided by the department.
(2) The application for a grant must include the following information:
(A) A detailed description of a proposal for initiating or expanding a school intervention
(B) Evidence supporting the school corporation's need to implement the school intervention
(C) The number of elementary school counselors employed by the school corporation.
(D) The elementary school counselor/student ratio for the school corporation.
(E) Any other pertinent information required by the department, including evidence guaranteeing that if the school corporation receives a grant under this chapter, the school corporation has developed a plan to evaluate the impact and results of the school corporation's program.
(1) upon review of the applications received under section 5 of this chapter;
(2) upon receipt of the recommendations from the advisory committee under section 10 of this chapter;
(3) subject to available money; and
(4) in accordance with the following priorities:
(A) To the extent possible, to achieve geographic balance throughout Indiana and to include urban, suburban, and rural school corporations.
(B) To address a documented need for new or expanded school intervention
(C) To promote innovative methods for initiating or expanding school intervention
(D) To reward school corporations that propose school intervention
(E) To lower school counselor/student ratios where the ratios are excessively high.
(1) for kindergarten through grade 6; and
(2) by:
(A) a licensed school counselor;
(B) a licensed school social worker who has obtained at least a master's degree; or
(C) a licensed school psychologist.
(b) If a school corporation is awarded a grant under this chapter, the school corporation must:
(1) agree to evaluate the impact and results of the school corporation's program; and
(2) submit the school corporation's findings to the department.
(c) The department shall administer the fund.
(d) The fund consists of:
(1) gifts to the fund;
(2) appropriations from the general assembly; and
(3) grants, including grants from private entities.
(1) The superintendent of the school corporation must apply to the department for a grant on a form provided by the department.
(2) The application for a grant must include the following information:
(A) A detailed description of a proposal for placing school counselors, school social workers, or school psychologists in elementary schools to provide services to students and their families.
(B) Evidence supporting the school corporation's need to implement the program.
(C) The number of elementary school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists employed by the school corporation.
(D) The elementary school:
(i) school counselor/student ratio;
(ii) school social worker/student ratio; and
(iii) school psychologist/student ratio;
for the school corporation.
(E) Any other pertinent information required by the department, including evidence guaranteeing that if the school corporation receives a grant under this chapter, the school corporation will have developed a plan to evaluate the impact and results of the school corporation's program.
(1) To the extent possible, to achieve geographic balance throughout Indiana and to include urban, suburban, and rural school corporations.
(2) To address a documented need for new or expanded programs, including consideration of the percentage of students within the school corporation who are designated as at risk students.
(3) To lower:
(A) student/school counselor ratios to at least one (1) school counselor to two hundred fifty (250) students;
(B)
(C) student/school psychologist ratios to at least one (1) school psychologist to one thousand (1,000) students.
(1) Developmental guidance instruction.
(2) Educational development.
(3) Career development student assistance services.
(4) Counseling strategies.
(5) Prevention programming.
(6) Crisis intervention leadership.
(7) Advocacy for students.
(8) Professional growth.
(b) This SECTION expires December 31, 2011.