Student-To-School-Counselor Ratios, School-Level Factors, and Leadership Practices of School Counselors: A National Investigation

Abstract

Since 1965, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has recommended a student-to-school-counselor ratio of 250:1; however, a large disparity exists in school counselor caseloads across the United States. To date, most of the literature highlights the positive impact that lower ratios have on student outcomes, yet literature exploring the potential relationships between school counselor caseload and ecological contextual factors is scant. This study examined the association between student-to-school-counselor ratios and school-level variables, school counselor demographics, perceived school climate, and leadership practices. The results, based on a national sample, revealed that school counselors’ racial identity (i.e., identifying as White), school-level variables (i.e., percentages of students with disabilities, students who are bi/multilingual, White students, and White faculty members) were significantly associated with school counselors’ odds of meeting a 250:1 student-to-school-counselor ratio. School counselors with a ratio of 250:1 or lower scored slightly lower in leadership practices. This article discusses implications for practice, policy, and future research.