MASCA Web Site

You are invited to participate in the 2010 Leadership Forum for Massachusetts School Counselors on Beacon Hill on Wednesday, March 10 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  School counselors, directors of guidance, counselor educators, graduate students and others interested in school counseling in Massachusetts will ascend on Beacon Hill to show just how important school counselors are to student success and achievement.  MASCA has partnered with the College Board, the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) in support of this program.

Participants will hear from state legislators, educators and others who are impacted by school counselors. MASCA leaders and also be in attendance.  Legislators, legislative aides and DESE staff will also be invited to hear about the school counseling profession and what we need to do to improve student well being, career planning and academic performance in the state.

In addition to the speakers and conversations around the importance of school counseling and learning how to advocate for our profession, participants will also be asked to meet with their state representative and senator to educate them about what a school counselor does and why they make a difference for today’s youth.  We need a significant turnout of school counselors and their supporters to show policy makers how vitally important school counselors are.  Participants are encouraged to bring data that shows how their school counseling program makes a positive impact on student performance, well being and achievement.  Registration forms must be completed and returned to Bob Bardwell, MASCA Government Relations Chair by March 1.  CLICK HERE for the registration information.

Come out and support the school counseling profession!

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.

SEE  A VIDEO OF THE TESTIMONY (coming soon)

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