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Editor's note: Our guest blogger today is Amanda Fitzgerald. Amanda is Director of Public Policy at the American School Counselor Association (ASCA, a Learning First Alliance member).

You have to look hard to find anything about school counseling services or the role of the school counselor in the outdated No Child Left Behind education law. Currently, the only place the definition of the school counselor can even be located is in a small, discretionary grant program called the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling program. This program, housed in the disappearing Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools (OSDFS), started out as a pilot in a school district in Iowa more than a decade ago. The purpose of the three-year grant is simple: To create and enhance a district’s comprehensive school counseling program. Funds can be used for hiring personnel, professional development, and school counseling curricula. Since its inception, the need for this program and school counseling services has grown so much that the Department of Education (ED) receives far more applications than they can come close to considering.

Urging Congress to fund this program year after year has been challenging to say the least – even when the economy wasn’t tanking.  This year has been more challenging than most, especially for education funding. The infamous HR 1 introduced at the beginning of the current Congress was a huge attack on education funding which, as originally written, eliminated the school counseling program. Miraculously, after the final Continuing Resolution was passed and the FY 11 year finalized, the school counseling program managed to survive once again with only the slightest cut (less than $3 million total). This was a huge victory as we saw countless education programs completely leveled and the OSDFS taking cuts totaling 28%.

 While we’re very used to having the funding fight year after year, the House majority has presented us with a new challenge. The recently introduced HR 1891, a measure that would repeal 43 education programs (including the school counseling program), made it through committee with only one amendment passing which would save the currently unfunded Parental Involvement program. While it is unknown when HR 1891 will get to the House floor, we do expect it will pass on a party line vote.

Despite the extremely tough budgetary times on the federal level, the state level and especially the district level, it isn’t all bad news for school counseling. We continue to celebrate the evolution of the school counselor as an integral educator in the school building. School counselors are more than the adult down the hall who assists students with scheduling. Instead, they have proven their effectiveness in increasing student achievement, closing the achievement gap and ensuring students are enrolled in rigorous coursework to help prepare them for life after high school. Each year the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) highlights the best in the profession with the School Counselor of the Year program. After a rigorous application process a selection committee of education stakeholders selects up to 9 finalists and one winner to come to Washington, DC to participate in 3 days of professional development and festivities. The event concludes with a black-tie event to honor these outstanding professionals that make a difference in the lives of students. I urge you to spread the word and think about the professionals that work in your school building. Do you know an outstanding school counselor? Nominations are quick and simple to fill out. The deadline has been extended until August 15. Submit a nomination here.