Request interim study on increasing impact of school counselors

This joint resolution (LC 2785) requests an interim study to examine how Montana can better utilize school counselors to improve student outcomes. It directs the Legislative Council to form a committee to investigate counselor shortages, current student-counselor ratios, and effective practices used in other states. The committee must collaborate with school counselors, the Board of Public Education, and advocacy groups, and report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. The study focuses on strengthening school counseling programs without making immediate policy changes.