A new Oklahoma rule places strict limitations on how much time public school counselors can spend on non-counseling tasks, but some have raised concerns of whether the regulation is too vague to have its desired effect.
The rule requires school counselors to spend at least 80% of their work time on direct and indirect counseling services that have “an impact on student growth in the areas of academic advisement, college and career, and life skills and wellness,” according to its text. The remainder of their time could be spent on “program planning and school support.”
The Oklahoma State Board of Education and the state Legislature approved the rule this year. State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who proposed the rule, said the goal is to ensure school counselors aren’t saddled with administrative duties that distract from their primary responsibility of counseling students.
Read more at Oklahoma Voice.
