SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- The recession is making the prospect of college an even bigger challenge for high school students in California.
Budget cuts have forced many public school districts to lay off high school counselors , the very counselors who help students pave their way to college.
The ratio of counselors to students nationwide is roughly 300 to one.
KCBS’ Rebecca Corral Reports
"In California, that ratio is quite a bit higher, perhaps in the 700 to 1,000 range depending on the school," said David Hawkins of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Hawkins said this comes as the number of students applying to colleges has increased, and colleges themselves are awarding more financial aid.
"The hope of having a one-on-one counseling session really just won't be realized with that kind of a caseload," Hawkins said. "Students who receive attention are the ones who are already in the college pipeline, prepared, willing and ready to apply. Those students who might need the most help, who might be qualified to go to college, but just don't have the information, often times just aren't seeing the counselor at all."
Hawkins is urging government leaders to think ahead, recognize the need for a college educated workforce and add, instead of cut, high school counselors.
(kmi)
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