Gov. Rick Snyder signs legislation boosting career counseling for students

Statement

School counselors must now dedicate 50 hours of the current 150-hour professional development requirement on coursework and program instruction to better assist students with college preparation and career selection under legislation signed today by Gov. Rick Snyder.

"Equipping students with the tools and resources they need to decide on a career path and finding the right avenue to get them there is critically important for long-term success," Snyder said. "This bill helps school counselors better serve students by expanding the focus on the diverse career and educational options that are available."

House Bill 4181, sponsored by state Rep. Brett Roberts, requires school counselors to devote 50 of their currently required 150 hours of professional development to improving the college preparation and selection process (25 hours) and on career counseling (25 hours). Career counseling includes, but is not limited to, exploration of military career options, professional trades, and other technical or occupational careers requiring post-secondary industry-specific credentials. The updated requirements will apply to individuals renewing their school counselor credentials two years after the effective date of January 2018. It is now Public Act 151 of 2017.

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