More Guidance Counselors Needed in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A few state lawmakers say something should be done to bolster the number of guidance counselors working in public high schools. A report issued Wednesday by the Legislature's Office of Performance Evaluations shows Idaho had 489 students for every counselor during 2010-2011.

That total is above the national average of 471 and nearly twice the national standard of 250. The Spokesman-Review reports  that OPE's report also recommends reducing the student-to-counselor ratio to encourage more students to go on to college.

Republican Sen. Dean Mortimer of Idaho Falls said he's concerned about the ratio and insisted counseling is an essential tool to getting students to the next academic level. Democratic Rep. Shirley Ringo of Moscow agreed and said counselors are often asked to deal with other issues at school.