Federal Bill to Strengthen Career Counseling in Middle and High Schools

November 23, 2020 Career.Training Legislation
“Career counselors provide critical guidance to students and help ensure they are on track for future success,” said Congressman Langevin. “Career counselors are most effective when they are up-to-speed on the latest information on workforce development programs and trends in the local job market. My bipartisan bill with Congressman Thompson will leverage input from local educators, businesses, and community leaders to build and improve statewide career counseling frameworks, ensuring school counselors have the resources and training they need to help their students succeed.”

Bipartisan legislation would provide federal funding for states to develop career counseling frameworks

In recognition of National Career Development Week, Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), co-chairs of the Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, introduced the Counseling for Career Choice Act, bipartisan legislation that would make new investments in school counseling to better prepare students for educational and career opportunities.

The Counseling for Career Choice Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide grants to states to implement statewide career counseling frameworks that are developed in coordination with community stakeholders, including schools and local businesses. It is supported by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Advance CTE, the American School Counselors Association, and the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers.

“School counselors and guidance and career development professionals play a critical role in the career and technical education system,” said LeAnn Wilson, Executive Director of the Association for Career and Technical Education. “We know that students trust these professionals to help them make informed decisions and plan for their futures, and these grants will help strengthen these critical student services. ACTE is pleased to endorse the bill and is grateful for the leadership of Representatives Langevin and Thompson.”

States will use Counseling for Career Choice Act grant funds to carry out the following activities:

  • Develop and implement comprehensive school career counseling programs that align with the statewide career counseling framework;
  • Identify regional workforce trends in collaboration with state and regional workforce partners, and establish partnerships between counselors and states’ Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act One-Stop Centers;
  • Identify and assess school counseling activities and postsecondary options for youth, including out-of-school youth and adults;
  • Develop and implement professional development and certification programs for counselors; and
  • Support the statewide career counseling framework by leveraging technologies and developing a process for counselors to access information and resources.

Text of the Counseling for Career Choice Act.