The role and duties of a school social worker can differ greatly by state. The National School Social Work Practice Model and the National Association of Social Workers' school social work standards describe practice approaches and behaviors endorsed by the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA). The National Evaluation Framework for…

This mixed-methods study examines school social workers' perceptions of immigration enforcement on the lives of immigrant students. The article builds upon previous sociological and education research about how the contexts of reception impact immigrant mobility, immigration enforcement, and the role of school-based personnel support for immigrant…

School social workers play the main role in the Hong Kong local school mental health system. Recent research has indicated that Hong Kong school social workers experience burnouts with long working hours. Moreover, the two years of remote learning due to COVID-19 had a significant impact on Hong Kong students, affecting their academic performance,…

A positive school culture and climate can support learning for students, particularly students of color. The role of the school social worker is vital to supporting an educational system in developing and promoting a positive school culture and climate. In trying to best understand the role of the school social worker, a qualitative approach…

School social workers employ a variety of interventions to meet the needs of students, staff, and families. Serving as the vital link between the school, student, and community, school social workers are well positioned for leadership opportunities. Yet, school social workers continue to be marginalized and under recognized for their leadership…

In the context of the current sociopolitical climate, schools of social work's expressed commitment to equity and justice is of paramount relevance. Utilizing course descriptions and syllabi posted online, we used content analysis to identify equity and justice-related content within the explicit curricula of 19 master of social work programs in…

Strong teacher support is associated with and predictive of fewer depressive symptoms among youths. However, school connectedness may play a role in explaining this relationship. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study examined the mediating role of school connectedness on the relationship between teacher…

Social workers are challenged by the profession's Code of Ethics to engage in social and political action to create social change, and social work education is challenged by our Code and accreditation standards to prepare students for this challenge. Social policy instructors often need to adapt teaching methods in order to account for differences…

In this exploratory study, the professional socialization of 23 clinical social workers based in New England is examined. Building on a landmark framework for understanding professional socialization, this article extends the conversation to assess professional identity among the study participants as well. Findings suggest that clinical social…

Reducing disproportionality in school discipline is a grand challenge for school social work. Although the causes of disproportionality in exclusionary school discipline are interrelated and complex, one solution is to introduce alternatives to suspensions and expulsions that discipline students while keeping them engaged in school. The teen court…

This study explores the ways Indigenous social workers experience and learn about colonization and provides suggestions for educators who are tasked with teaching that material. Nine First Nations and Métis social workers in British Columbia were interviewed. Data collection and analysis took place using the research praxis "métissage"…

Although social work education competencies include economic justice, and practice includes addressing client finances and assets, social work curricula lack an emphasis on these topics. Little is known about students' perceptions of the relevancy of this information or how well their program is preparing them for contemporary practice. This study…

Since its inception in four cities in 1906, school social work has struggled to clearly define its unique professional contributions--its skills, perspectives, and purpose--as it has sought legitimacy and recognition within the fields of education and social work. The purpose of this article is to bring a historical lens to the professional…

The current environment for school social work presents great challenges and great opportunities. Amid promising shifts in programs and policies, many school social workers feel marginalized. Despite sustained efforts at definition, the role of the school social worker remains unclear to many outside the field. More important, this role is often…

Multi-tiered System of Supports/Response to Intervention (MTSS/RTI) is now mandated in a number of states, including Illinois, and being implemented at all grade levels. School social workers and school psychologists are typically involved in implementation; however, minimal information exists on the extent to which they collaborate. Results of an…