In 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger elevated California to national counseling standards. The Governor's $200 million investment of Proposition 98 funds significantly increases the number of 7-12th grade counselors. Money will be available to middle and high schools with a high student-to-counselor ratio in every school district.

California's school counselor deficit is serious and well-documented. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, California's student-to-counselor ratio is the nation's highest. A UCLA study reports that the counselor deficit makes it harder for California's students, especially those who are low-income or minority, to attend college.

The Governor's investment is without precedent in California:

• This is the first time in state history that budget funds are specifically earmarked to strengthen both middle and high school counselors.
• Overwhelming caseloads currently limit the support and services that school counselors can offer. Post-graduation planning is often sacrificed for academic counseling - meaning kids get less access to information about colleges, vocational training and professional opportunities.
• The $200 million 2006-07 budget investment will supplement existing resources so that counselors can provide more information on college, life skills, after-school programs and tutoring opportunities. California's students can achieve more with expanded counseling services.
• The positive benefits of counseling include higher test scores, stronger classroom performance and better grades - particularly among underachieving students.
• The College Board reports that students who see a school counselor several times a year are more likely to attend a four-year college.
• Schools with counselors have fewer classroom disturbances, better- behaved students, reduced bullying behavior and less student victimization.