“It’s good for the profession to be aware of [the study] ... there might be a possible unconscious bias,” says Brad McGowen, who has been a high-school counselor for more than 20 years in Newton, Mass. He says the predominantly White Boston suburb has become more diverse, with recent immigrants from Asia and South America.
Dr. Carolyn Stone, a counselor educator at the University of North Florida and a member of the American School Counselor Association, says the organization is working hard to improve equity and access issues.
“The old image of counselor as gatekeeper is not viable,” she says. “It’s about supporting every student, not sifting and sorting ... It’s about raising aspirations and showing them the opportunities. It’s not just about work, military, community colleges, but also four-year colleges for their economic future,” she says.
— By Shilpa Banerji
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
