School Counselor-to-Student Ratios

The American School Counselor Association (2007) recommends an ideal counselor/student ratio of 1 to 250. The Department of Public Instruction acknowledges the recommended ratio of counselors-to-students established by the American School Counselor Association. The United States Department of Education also prescribes a counselor/student ratio of 1 to 250 as found in ESEA/NCLB Subpart 2 Section 5421 Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Programs. Pupil Services: A Resource and Planning Guide [Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 1995] recommends a ratio of 1 to 400 for grades K-6 and the recommended ratio for grades 7-12 is 1 to 250-300. The national average is actually 490, according to data from the State Non-fiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey. The counselor/student ratio for Wisconsin during the 2007-08 school year was 1 to 454. To view national ratios, go to:

• http://www.schoolcounselor.org/files/Ratios04-05.pdf,
  
• http://www.schoolcounselor.org/files/Ratio-change.pdf,
  
• http://www.schoolcounselor.org/files/HSratio04-05.pdf,
  
• http://www.schoolcounselor.org/files/ElemRatio04-05.pdf.

For questions about this information, contact Judith Kuse (608) 266-2820

Last updated on 8/4/2008 2:00:13 PM