[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 41 (Monday, March 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HARKIN (for himself and Mr. Wellstone):
  S. 620. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 regarding elementary school and secondary school counseling; to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, you have heard the old saying that an 
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Today, I am introducing 
the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Improvement Act of 2001 
to provide that ounce of prevention.
  After the unspeakable act of violence at Columbine High in 1999, CNN 
and USA Today conducted a public opinion poll of Americans. They asked 
what would make a difference in preventing a future outbreak of 
violence in our Nation's schools.
  The leading response was to restrict access to firearms. The second 
most popular response, a response selected by 60 percent of those 
polled, was to increase the number of counselors in our nation's 
schools.
  Counseling programs, especially in our elementary schools are an 
ounce of prevention. However, too many children do not have access to a 
well-training counselor when they need one.
  Experts tell us that to be effective, there should be at least one 
counselor for every 250 students. Unfortunately, the current student: 
counselor ratio is more than double the recommended level: 551:1. That 
means counselors are stretched to the limit and cannot devote the kind 
of attention to children that is needed.
  Children today are subjected to unprecedented social stresses, 
including the fragmentation of the family, drug and alcohol abuse, 
violence, child abuse and poverty. The legislation I am introducing 
today reauthorizes the Elementary School Counseling Demonstration Act 
and expands services to secondary schools.
  The Elementary School Counseling Program is modeled on a successful 
program in the Des Moines school district. The counseling program, 
Smoother Sailing, operates on the simple premise that we must get to 
kids early to prevent problems rather than waiting for a crisis.
  The schools participating in Smoother Sailing have seen a dramatic 
reduction in the number of students referred to the office for 
disciplinary reasons. Teachers report fewer classroom disturbances and 
principals notice fewer fights in the cafeteria and on the playground. 
The schools and classrooms have become more disciplined learning 
environments.
  The legislation authorizes $100 million. However, since the counselor 
shortage is particularly acute in elementary schools, the legislation 
requires that the first $60 million appropriated would go to provide 
grants for elementary schools.
  Earlier this month, the Nation was shocked to learn about a school 
shooting in Santee, California. We have a desperate need to improve 
counseling services in our Nation's schools and this legislation will 
be an important step in addressing this critical issue. I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation.

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