NOSCA: National Office for
School Counselor Advocacy

Richmond Ellis High School is one of the most prestigious schools in Teaneck, N. J. and many accomplished alumni were educated there. The principal, Susan Prater and the school staff have been honored for their efforts in increasing proficiency levels on the statewide assessments, participation in college prep curriculum, and graduation rates and postsecondary enrollment.

Although the school has maintained a good standing status, for the past few years the school's graduating seniors have been reporting horror stories about their first year of college and enrollment in career technical programs. Many of the students were placed in remedial courses, earning no credits their first year and discovered that they were unequipped to do the level of course work required. In addition, students who enrolled in career technical programs were unable to pass the programs' placement exams.

This is a fictitious scenario, but it is a scenario that is true for approximately 60 percent of students who enter their first year of college or career technical programs, despite their attainment of a high school diploma, college preparatory curriculum and proficient high school exit examination scores. Today there is a "gap between college and career eligibility and readiness. Access to college is still a critical issue, but the challenge is focusing on providing the knowledge and skills necessary to complete a certificate or degree," according to the Southern Region Education Board.

In response to this crisis, a credentialed school counselor leader and advocate can support and assist in guiding whole school change around improving college and career readiness for all students. School counselors should connect to the core subject areas: mathematics, science, English, and social studies. They should promote quality as well as achievement in the classroom by ensuring that K-12 students are receiving the classes or academic programs necessary to ensure that they are able to choose from a variety of college and career technical school options.

The school counselor can provide hands-on experiential activities to strengthen students' academic knowledge and skills by collaborating with administrators and teachers. Student development in these areas can be made more relevant by connecting to student interests and talents and exposing them to a variety of career options.

Again, this is a fictitious scenario but very true for many students today. Prater, the principal at Richmond Ellis High School ensured that the school met the standards for graduation, but missed the mark of ensuring that all students were provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to complete a certificate or degree. Is there a college and career eligibility and readiness gap at your school?