Counselors and legislators: a case history

Recent Florida legislation provides for the training and use of paraprofessionals in guidance. The impetus for this legislation came from the legislators and vocational educators, rather than from the guidance profession. The official reasons given for the enactment of this legislation were especially critical of counselor education. The primary concern was that adequate vocational guidance is not being provided to youth in or out of school. This article discusses the preliminary hearings, content of the laws, and guidelines for implementing this legislation.