Professional organizations aim to strengthen and protect the professions they serve. However, organizations can also behave in hegemonic ways, eroding specializations and advancing a policy agenda without critical member input. Exploring issues of power and inclusion is essential not only for the survival and stability of the organization, but…

State laws governing recreational and medicinal cannabis use are trending toward legalization, which has implications for school social workers and the students, families, and communities they serve. The patchwork of policies and conflicting public opinion sends mixed messages to youth and families who may lack sufficient information regarding…

School social work licensure or certification has undergone dramatic policy shifts throughout the United States that have changed the eligibility requirements of the state credentialing agencies and influenced enrollment in school social work licensure education courses. These changes have affected the professional school social work workforce in…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of response to intervention/multi-tiered systems of supports (RtI/MTSS) in promoting social justice in schools. Design/methodology/approach: This study used survey research, using a 32-item questionnaire, and presented results of approximately 200 school social workers (SSWs). Findings:…

Play is widely believed to be vital to healthy childhood development. Yet play in schools, in the early childhood classroom as well as on the playground, has decreased markedly and in some cases disappeared completely. This phenomenon can be explained in large part by the increasing demand for educational achievement and accountability. School…

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…

Objective: The McKinney-Vento Act (MVA) is the primary federal policy addressing homelessness in America with specific mandates designed to ameliorate the effects homelessness has on educational attainment for school-age children. The extent to which this policy is implemented may have far-reaching effects for homeless children. The MVA…

This study is a secondary analysis of surveys collected from school social workers in Illinois. Workers were originally surveyed about the most important student problems they confront in their schools and their preferred targets of intervention (individual, small group, family) to address those problems. Drawing on related conceptual work, the…

Approximately half of children and adolescents who are socially unpopular are not aggressive. Some voluntarily isolate themselves from the peer group, whereas others are intentionally excluded and often victimized. Although school social workers regularly provide services to this population, there is little reported research on effective…

This manual, written for university program staff, students, and practitioners, delineates the requirements for and the philosophical concepts supporting the school social work internship program in Illinois. Chapter 1 presents the background and rationale for the internship program. Chapter 2 delineates eight areas of competency to be developed…

Presents a model for enhancement of teacher empowerment and self-efficacy in which the school social worker facilitates a teacher peer-coaching program. Tested in a preliminary study in two urban schools, the model led to teachers more often seeking and giving advice and to the identification of systematic (versus child-centered) problems. (Author)

MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR ILLINOIS CERTIFICATION ARE LISTED FOR TEACHERS OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, BLIND, PARTIALLY SEEING, EDUCABLE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, TRAINABLE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, MALADJUSTED, MULTIPLY HANDICAPPED, AND HOMEBOUND AND HOSPITALIZED PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND CERTIFICATION…

PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR A BROADLY BASED, COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION FOR ALL CHILDREN. THE BASIC CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO THE COORDINATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES, AS DEFINED IN THE POLICY STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS, ARE OUTLINED. BOTH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE…

This manual, one of a series of five manuals written for pupil personnel workers in the Illinois schools, is designed to assist school personnel with practices and procedures in school social work. Chapter 1 focuses on philosophy, and briefly introduces major concepts in pupil personnel services including service coordination, community-school…

This handbook for pupil personnel workers traces the historical development of school social work and its role in the Illinois public schools. The role and function of school social workers in promoting optimum educational programming by participating in an interdisciplinary team, consulting with teachers, evaluating students, providing casework…