Student‐to‐School Counselor Ratios: A Meta‐Analytic Review of the Evidence

Recent school counselor research has focused on the association between student‐to‐school counselor ratios and student‐level outcomes. The American School Counselor Association endorses a 250:1 ratio, despite little research evidence to support this recommendation. This study investigates the relationship between counselor ratios and a variety of student‐level outcomes through a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Using an inclusive search approach and a random‐effects model, we find that increased ratios (more students per counselor) lead to a small, negative effect on student‐level outcomes. Significant biases in the research designs of the extant studies limit our interpretations. We discuss implications for future research and considerations for practitioners.