Minnesota's school counselor shortage is one of the worst in the nation

Minnesota has one of the worst school counselor-to-student ratios in the country, according to data from the American School Counselor Association .

The big picture: Minnesota had one counselor for every 544 students during the 2022-2023 K-12 school year. That's more than double the association's recommended ratio of 250:1.

• Only two states — Arizona and Michigan — had higher ratios last year.

Why it matters: These certified educators help students with everything from mental health support to applying for college.

• They can be the first to know if a child is facing abuse, struggling with hunger, or contemplating suicide.

Plus: Experts say a lack of counselor access nationwide disproportionately hurts students of color .

Zoom in: The Minnesota gap is greatest at the middle and elementary school levels, where some counselors carry a caseload of closer to 800 students, Sydney Piras, governmental relations coordinator for the Minnesota School Counseling Association (MSCA) told Axios.

• That's a big problem since early intervention and support can help students thrive in and outside the classroom, said Piras, who is also a counselor at Stillwater Area High School.

Between the lines: Many counselors are also assigned other duties throughout the school day, such as lunch or testing supervision, that take away from their core work supporting students, Piras added.

The intrigue: A bill proposed by Rep. Kaela Berg (DFL-Burnsville) and backed by MSCA seeks to address those concerns by clarifying counselor job duties and encouraging districts to meet a ratio of 250:1.

• "We are failing our kids, and our teachers and our staff are overwhelmed and facing things we never would have thought of when I was in high school," Berg told Axios of the need for the legislation.

Yes, but: The legislation stalled amid complaints that a solution should reflect other staff needs too, such as nurses, chemical health specialists, and social workers.

• Even though the proposed ratio was a recommendation and not a requirement, backers also faced pushback over the potential cost to districts already facing financial troubles .

What's next: Berg told Axios she plans to workshop the bill language ahead of next year's session to ensure that it's "inclusive of everyone that plays an important role" in student mental health.

• Given that 2025 is a budget year, more funding could also be on the table.

What we're watching: Even if the state sets a target ratio for schools, finding people to fill counselor jobs remains a problem, Piras said.

• Some districts are having trouble filling existing openings given the high caseloads or part-time nature of the roles, they added.

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