The SCOTUS Ruling on Parental Notification of Student Gender Identity
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Mirabelli v. Bonta has temporarily blocked California’s AB 1955 non-disclosure policy, reshaping how schools navigate parental notification and student gender identity. This ruling introduces new legal considerations for school leaders while existing protections for transgender students remain in place.
Navigating Upcoming Deadlines: A Guide to California's A-G and Educator Effectiveness Grants
California school districts currently have access to two major funding streams to support professional development and improve student outcomes: the A-G Completion Improvement Grant and the Educator Effectiveness Block Grant (EEBG). While both grants aim to enhance the capacity of school staff, particularly school counselors and teachers, they operate under distinct compliance rules and critical deadlines that demand careful strategic planning to avoid forfeiting funds. Understanding the subtle but significant differences between expending (money is actually spent) and encumbering funds (committing them via contract) is key to successful utilization.
Hatching Results at the CASC 2025 Conference in Riverside, California
The CASC Conference has always held a special place in our hearts — and this year feels extra meaningful.
Join us in Riverside as we share two dynamic sessions, celebrate Paul Meyers’ Lifetime Achievement Award, and honor the many past presidents and partners who make our California school counseling community so strong.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What It Means for School Counselors & K–12 Education
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) is the most significant federal education reform in decades. While aimed at higher education, its ripple effects will impact K–12 schools, educators, and the school counseling profession in meaningful ways.
This blog breaks down what leaders need to know about new Pell Grants, student loan repayment reforms, and long-term workforce implications.
Supporting Students & Families Amid Immigration Policy Changes
As immigration policies create fear and uncertainty for students and families, Dr. Danielle Duarte shares reflections and practical steps — plus a growing list of resources for school counselors, educators, and district leaders.
What California’s 2025–26 Budget Means for School Counseling
California’s education budget for 2025–26 includes major funding opportunities that could transform how school counselors serve students — here’s what you need to know.
California’s 2025–26 budget includes significant new and ongoing investments in education, with real opportunities for school districts to strengthen their school counseling programs. Whether you're a district leader, county leader, or school counselor looking to advocate for more support services, understanding the available California school counseling funding streams is key.
Hatching Results at ASCA 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Booth Events, Sessions & Giveaways
Planning your trip to ASCA 2025? Don’t miss your chance to connect with Hatching Results! Join our dynamic team for high-energy sessions, exclusive giveaways, book signings, and more. Whether you're a school counselor or district leader, this guide has everything you need to find us in Long Beach.
Empowering Practice Through Evidence: Our Experience at EBSCC 2025
Attending the Evidence-Based School Counseling Conference (EBSCC) is always a meaningful professional experience, and this year’s conference was no exception. Our team had the privilege of presenting tools, strategies, and research that are actively shaping the future of school counseling. Through our sessions and discussions, we aimed to spotlight the practical power of data-driven school counseling and showcase innovation happening across districts.
Celebrating 2025 RAMP® Schools
Our work is grounded in the belief that great school counseling programs transform student outcomes. We're honored to help districts design, implement, and improve programs that meet the highest standards, and thrilled to support their individual school sites in their RAMP journey.
We provide a variety of support services to our current and former district partners upon request as their schools apply for the Recognized ASCA Model Program® (RAMP) designation. After another successful school year, we are proud to recognize these RAMP-winning schools!
Protecting Funding for California School Counseling in 2025-26
Securing sustainable funding to grow and strengthen your school counseling program is always an important priority, especially during times of economic uncertainty. While state budgets may fluctuate year to year, strategic planning and proactive alignment can help ensure long-term stability for the essential services school counselors provide.
In January, Governor Newsom projected school funding to remain relatively flat in 2025–26 at $118.9 billion, slightly below the 2024–25 estimate of $119.2 billion. With the May Revision of the California state budget expected around May 17, updated revenue estimates will provide a clearer picture of how current economic trends may impact school funding. (Source: Guide to the California State Budget Process)
The Report Template That Sparked a Movement: Making School Counseling Visible
School counseling programs do incredible work, but too often that impact goes unseen. A simple but powerful tool—end-of-year reports—became the foundation for transforming how school counselors advocate for their roles and demonstrate their impact. What started in 2018 as a basic Google Doc to track participation data evolved into a district-wide system of visually compelling, data-rich mid-year and end-of-year reports. These reports became essential tools for communication, advocacy, and accountability, not only raising awareness of the school counselor’s role but also contributing to the expansion of our counseling team and the removal of non-counseling duties.
When I first joined Pomona Unified School District in 2018 as an elementary school counselor, many of us worked across multiple sites, often struggling to capture and communicate the breadth of our work. One of my colleagues in the district, Nichole Acevedo, was a solo counselor at her site and faced the challenge of demonstrating the impact of having a site-dedicated elementary school counselor. To address this, she began collecting detailed participation data and presenting it at board and cabinet meetings through a Google Doc template. (Years later, Nichole joined Hatching Results full-time!)
Reflections on Celebrating School Counselor of the Year
As I sit in Union Station, Washington, D.C., I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible honor I have received as the 2024 California School Counselor of the Year. This moment feels surreal as I reflect on my journey from a graduate student at the University of La Verne to being recognized among exemplary school counselors nationwide.
During my time as a student, I was inspired by the impactful stories of school counselors advocating for change. I immersed myself in the ASCA National Model and explored the works of pioneers like Dr. Trish Hatch and Dr. Judy Bowers, dreaming of one day joining their ranks. Little did I know that I would not only meet Trish but also learn from her and grow as a leader in our profession.