Senate Co-Sponsors Needed for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Improvement Act of 2001

Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program

Bills to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program introduced by Representative Marge Roukema (R-NJ) as the Elementary and Secondary Counseling Improvement Act (H.R. 1508) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) as the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Improvement Act (S. 620) were incorporated, as amendments, into much larger education legislation--the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (H.R. 1).

A conference committee has been appointed to work out the differences in the House and Senate Versions. The Senate appointed Kennedy, Dodd, Harkin, Mikulski, Jeffords, Bingaman, Wellstone, Murray, Reed, Edwards, Clinton, Lieberman, Bayh, Gregg, Frist, Enzi, Hutchinson, Warner, Bond, Roberts, Collins, Sessions, DeWine, Allard and Ensign to the conference committee and the House appointed Boehner, Petri, Roukema, McKeon, Castle, Graham, Hilleary, Isakson, Miller, George, Kildee, Owens, Mink, Andrews, and Roemer.

The last meeting held by the Conference committee was September 25. Conferees are scheduled to meet again on October 23, but is unclear—even with pressure from President Bush—if a final compromise can be reached prior to adjournment.

BACKGROUND

In early March, during consideration of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee approved a bill, the Better Education for Students and Teachers Act (BEST), that eliminates the Elementary School Counseling Demonstration Act (ESDCA).

The ESCDA is the only federal program specifically designed to help school districts hire qualified school social workers, school psychologists, and school counselors to initiate or expand comprehensive counseling programs. Currently 58 school districts across the country are participating in this program with an additional 20-30 districts to be awarded grants this spring. The role that social workers play in our schools is critical in aiding our youths' academic, emotional, and professional success.

THE ISSUE AT HAND

On March 26, 2001, Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN) introduced the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Improvement Act of 2001 (ESSCI) (S. 620). This bill expands the current program to secondary schools and authorizes $100 million in funding for fiscal year 2002. In order to build momentum for restoring the School Counseling program to the BEST bill when it is considered on the Senate floor, S. 620 needs as many Senate co-sponsors as possible -- Republicans and Democrats.

TIMING

The BEST bill may go to the Senate floor as early as the last week in April or the first week in May. So to be most effective, contacts with Senators should be made within the next three weeks. Congress is scheduled to be in recess from April 7 - April 22, so you may even be able to talk with your Senators about cosponsoring the bill when they are back home.

ACTION NEEDED

NASW needs its members to contact their Senators and ask them to co-sponsor this legislation. We have provided a draft letter on Congress Web for members to email, fax, or mail to their Senators. Your advocacy on this issue is critical to helping get this piece of legislation through the Senate.

If you need further information regarding this issue, please contact Lakitia Mayo, NASW National Field Organizer at lmayo@naswdc.org.