MASCA Web Site

HB 4523 - An Act to Assure College and Career Readiness Through Six Year Career Plans for All Massachusetts Public School Students

Dear colleagues-

On behalf of the Government Relations Committee I wish to thank the 50+ members, friends and supporters who attend the 2nd Annual School Counselor Leadership Day on Beacon Hill.  We had a beautiful sunny day to learn about school counselor advocacy, get an update on HB 4523 and meet with legislators to continue to educate them about the value of school counseling in the Commonwealth.

Participants heard from Chris Evans, MASCA President, Dr. John McEwan, President of Cardinal Spellman High School, Paul Lynskey, MEFA's Director of Secondary School Relations, Rep. Alice Peisch, sponsor of HB4523, Dan Sullivan, Aide to Rep. Dave Flynn and former student of MASCA's Executive Director, Donna Brown, and Lori Fresina, grassroots organizer and consultant to MASCA's Government Relations Committee.

Most exciting was to hear that our bill regarding mandatory career plans for all Massachusetts students that we spoke with legislators about last year when we were on the Hill had been given a favorable review from the Joint Committee on Education and was headed to the House Ways & Means Committee for its approval as well.  There was even some talk about putting this bill on the fast track before the upcoming budget discussions as it does not require any funding.

HB 4523 would create a 14 member advisory Committee to study whether all students in the Commonwealth should have a Career Plan in order to graduate.  The Commission would put MASCA at the table with other key stakeholders such as the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Association of Secondary School Principals and the  Massachusetts Business Education Alliance.  There seemed to be much support for this bill and the idea that Massachusetts would be one of the few states in the country that would require a career plan as a graduation requirement.

The Government Relations Committee urges you contact your state representative and senator and encourage them to support HB 4523 when it comes to a final vote on the floor of the House and Senate.  As soon as we know more about the exact schedule of the bill and when it is expected to be voted upon, we will notify you.  We know that not all members agree that Career Plans are the best way to gain awareness for our profession as this will require more of school counselors.  For a detailed discussion of this topic please check out the April issue of the Counselor's Notebook.

We are also monitoring the bullying legislation (Senate Bill 2313) that is currently making its way through the legislature as well as HB 487 which would substantially expand parent rights to attorneys’ fees which would have a drastic impact school budgets.

Please contact me at bardwellr@monsonschools.com if you have any questions or wish to join the Government Relations Committee.

Bob Bardwell

Interim MASCA Government Relations Chair

UPDATE

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 the Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on HB 470 & HB 471 at 1:00 p.m. in the Massachusetts State House, Hearing Room A1.  These bills were filed last year by Rep. Alice Peisch on behalf of MASCA.  HB 470 would create a two-year pilot project which will study the use of counselor time in relation to accelerating college and career readiness.  HB 471 would mandate that all students have a six-year career plan (grade 8 - one year post secondary) that is coordinated by a licensed and properly trained school counselor.  Currently all vocational students have such a plan, but this is not the case in other public schools.  The summaries and talking points about HB 470 & 471 will help you understand what we are advocating for.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT
These two bills are not only good for students, but help to put school counseling and MASCA on the radar screen of legislators.  In order for our message to be heard, it is imperative that members become more vocal.  We have to file legislation, attend hearings and call, visit and write our legislators to promote our profession.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

1. Attend the hearing – The more people who show up and support our cause the more likely they are to get out of committee.  Bring yourselves, your neighbors, friends and family members.  We need to pack the hearing room.
2. Write, call and visit your state representative and senator – Whether you can attend or not, it is important for school counselors to call, write or even visit with their legislators.  Tell them why you support these bills and ask for their support.  Ask them to attend the hearing or minimally encourage their Education Committee counterparts to support the bills.  If you are new to advocacy or contacting your legislators, then read this advocacy packet as it will help you get started and walk you through the legislative process.
3. If you are unable to attend the hearing, but would like to provide written testimony to be read on your behalf, send your letter to bardwellr@monsonschools.com prior to October 20.  A sample letter is available if you want it to help you write your letter.
4. Use the Legislative Action Center to quickly create an email that can be sent to your state senator and representative encouraging them to support these bills.  Click HERE and enter in your name and address.  This will take no longer than 5 minutes.
5. Write a letter to the editor in your local paper highlight the work that school counselors do and why these particular bills are important.
6. Forward this message to others who are concerned about school counseling and ask them to help spread the word.

Fact Sheet

Talking Points

Advocacy Packet

Sample Letter

On behalf of the MASCA Government Relations Committee, I want to thank you for your time and efforts in helping promote school counseling in our state.  Your voice is important and needs to be heard.

Bob Bardwell
Government Relations Chair

Action Alert! Support the "Pathways to College Act"

The Pathways to College Act, sponsored by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Burr (R-NC) and Representatives Tim Bishop (D-NY) and Vern Ehlers (R-MI), is a bill designed to aid low-income and first generation students in the transition into higher education by emphasizing the importance of school counseling in the career planning process.  This bill will provide crucial grant funds to high need school districts to invest in school counseling services and increase students' access to postsecondary planning information.  Take action and urge your members of Congress to join in co-sponsoring the Pathways to College Act and ensure greater access to higher education for all students.  If Senators Durbin or Burr or Representatives Bishop or Ehlers are your members of Congress, edit the message to thank him for his commitment to improving college access!

Use NACAC's Legislative Action Center to contact your member of Congress today and urge him or her to sign on to this important legislation as a co-sponsor!

You can also use the following important links.  Click HERE for tips on calling, writing and emailing elected officials.

• NACAC's Legislative Action Center - This is an easy and effective way to take action and advocate for important legislation.
• Elected Officials - Find contact information for elected officials, including the President, Members of Congress, Governors, State Legislators, and local officials.
• Governor Deval Patrick
• Massachusetts State Senators
• Massachusetts House of Representatives
• Massachusetts State Legislature's Joint Committee on Education
• Massachusetts State Senate President Therese Murray
• Massachusetts Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo