Why We Need More School Counselors w/ Kathy Pelzer

The right support, at the right moment, can make all the difference in a young person’s life. That’s where dedicated school counselors come in, and the research proves it. Kathy Pelzer, a founding member of the California Association of School Counselors, has seen it first hand throughout her career.

Schools with a full-time counselor see improved attendance, higher graduation rates, and more students heading to college. It’s not just about academic advice; having a trusted adult on campus who really knows the students means someone is there to notice early warning signs, offer help in a crisis, or guide tough conversations about peer pressure, bullying, or mental health. In comparison, one-off interventions such as sporadic assemblies or guest speakers rarely have a lasting effect. Kids need consistency, not quick fixes, and this shows in the data.

When the counselor-to-student ratio is low—ideally 1:250—students benefit across the board. One widely cited study found that adding just one more high school counselor increased college attendance rates by up to ten percentage points for that school. That’s not just a stat on a spreadsheet; it’s hundreds of kids realizing new possibilities for their futures.

Despite all this, there’s still no guarantee that every school has a counselor on staff. There’s no federal law requiring a counselor in every school, and plenty of states don’t mandate it either. Millions of kids, especially in underfunded areas, are asked to cope on their own or with only piecemeal support. Policymakers can change this. With such clear evidence that school counselors help students succeed—emotionally, academically, and personally—the question becomes, why don't we fund and require them in every school?

These are not just numbers or policy points. This is about giving kids the tools to weather storms and discover their strengths. Legislators have a choice. The research is there; now it’s time to make it count for every student who walks through those doors.