Minn. lawmakers consider bill to set minimum school counselor ratios

Minnesota legislators are holding a hearing Thursday on a bill that would set minimum counselor-to-student ratios in public schools.

Minnesota currently ranks as having one of the highest ratios in the nation, according to the American School Counselor Association. Several states have mandated minimum ratios.

The Minnesota legislation would require one licensed counselor for every 250 students in high schools, one counselor for every 350 students in grades seven and eight and one counselor for every 450 students in grades one through six. On average, Minnesota schools have one counselor for every 771 students.

We speak with a school counselor about the nature of the issue, and discuss whether a state-mandated radio would fix the problem.

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