Bill > A3424

This bill establishes comprehensive requirements and guidelines for school counselors in New Jersey, recognizing their critical role in supporting student mental health and academic success. The bill defines a school counselor as an individual holding a New Jersey standard educational services certificate with a school counselor endorsement and outlines their primary responsibilities, which include promoting mental health, addressing students' academic and emotional development, providing individual academic planning, conducting classroom lessons, offering short-term counseling, making referrals, collaborating with families and educators, participating in student-focused meetings, and analyzing student data. The legislation requires the State Board of Education to establish professional development requirements for school counselors, mandating training in areas such as mental health awareness, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, trauma-informed practices, cultural competency, and college and career readiness. Additionally, the bill creates a new position of State School Counselor Liaison within the Department of Education, who will be responsible for facilitating best practices, fostering professional development, monitoring changes in school counseling, and providing an annual report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill also stipulates that school counseling programs at universities must incorporate the American School Counselor Association's national model and provide training in social and emotional learning and career planning.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A3424