the power of guidance:

Giving high school students the college counseling they need

OcTObER 2012
Published by the New York City Comptrollers Office
DRAFT

REPORT SUMMARY
A critical impediment for students seeking success in higher education is the lack of quality counseling, advising, and mentoring programs in New York City public high schools. This study makes five recommendations to enhance student support systems to help overcome the obstacles to obtaining a college degree.

Key Recommendations
Significantly expand the number of school counselors

of GUIDANCE
GIVING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THE COLLEGE COUNSELING THEY NEED

THE

POWER

to reduce the student-to-counselor ratio to 100:1.

Encourage principals to separate counseling functions and create dedicated college counselors within each New York City public high school. Utilize early intervention systems to help students stay

on-track to college.

Early warning indicators include poor attendance, poor behavior, and failure in English or math. Expand collaborative programs with CUNY and other

area colleges.

New York City Comptroller John C. Liu

OCTOBER 2012

Each public high school would be teamed with a sister college in the New York City area. Leverage the thousands of undergraduate and graduate

To download a copy of the report visit:

comptroller.nyc.gov About beyond High School NYc

Beyond High School NYC is a major initiative launched by Comptroller John C. Liu to increase the proportion of New Yorkers with higher education to 60 percent by the year 2025 through strategic investments in public education.

students in New York City to mentor high school students.

Create a City Work-Study program that hires college students to help high schoolers navigate the college application process.

Invest in summer programs that help college-bound

high school graduates make the transition to college.

Thirty percent of high school students accepted into college programs fail to matriculate. Many of these students are low-income and the first to attend college in their families.

continued

New York City Comptroller John C. Liu

the power of guidance:

Giving high school students the college counseling they need
OcTObER 2012
Published by the New York City Comptrollers Office
DRAFT

KEY gRAPHS
NYC Counselor Caseloads, Grades 9-12
High School Students
160,000

47.7%

51.1%

20,000

of GUIDANCE
GIVING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THE COLLEGE COUNSELING THEY NEED

THE

POWER

1.2% 1-100 100-250 guidance counselor caseloads >250

Sources: New York City Department of Education and United Federation of Teachers

Budget Impact of Expanded Counselor Program

DOE Spending
New York City Comptroller John C. Liu
OCTOBER 2012

current

+Expanded counselor Program $175,657 1,130,646 $155 $2,020 +Expanded counselor Program 1,612 N/A

New Total

To download a copy of the report visit:

DOE Operating Budget FY 2013* (000s) FY 2013 Projected Enrollment FY 2013 Per Pupil Spending Total Per Pupil Spending for 13 years (K-12)** Student-to-counselor Ratio

$19,720,913 1,130,646 $17,442 $226,748 current

$19,896,570 1,130,646 $17,598 $228,768 New Total

comptroller.nyc.gov About beyond High School NYc

Beyond High School NYC is a major initiative launched by Comptroller John C. Liu to increase the proportion of New Yorkers with higher education to 60 percent by the year 2025 through strategic investments in public education.

Number of HS Counselors 1,295 HS Ratio (student to counselor)*** 259:1

2,907 100:1

Sources: New York City Department of Education, New York City Office of Management and Budget *Excludes pension and debt service. **In present dollar terms, based on FY 2013 Adopted Budget Allocations. ***Based on projected enrollment for 2012-2013. NOTE: All figures are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

New York City Comptroller John C. Liu