This article looks at the American Dream as a merit narrative to understand how it supports barriers to educational success for educators working to improve the lives of students in urban schools. Hard work/perseverance and individualism are interrogated as components of merit narratives used to sustain the American Dream. We analyze data from six…

The history of school social work is presented with an emphasis on its value for at risk students in urban schools. These services have maximized equal educational opportunity with both cognitive and affective outcomes. The service works best when the social worker works in collaboration with school personnel. (VM)

Corporal punishment and suspension are cruel and discriminatory. School social workers can help to implement more humane strategies such as the following: (1) in-school suspension; (2) timeout procedures; (3) assignment to alternative schools; (4) behavior contracting; (5) use of peers and parents; and (6) social and cognitive skills training. (VM)

Social workers' direct work with students can help to reduce the disparity between educational ability and achievement. Interventions with low achievers must include fostering linkages between home and school. Consultation and followup are necessary components for reducing underachievement. The intervention must be done in conjunction with school…

The education and health of students are at risk due to a rise in drug and tobacco use in schools. Social workers can help schools and students by designing, executing, and evaluating prevention interventions. Empirical data from two controlled studies are presented. (VM)

School social workers aid the process of parental involvement with the schools. Parents need services from social workers so their relations with the school will have positive influences on the child's learning. The social and academic adjustment of high risk children depends on this essential link. (VM)

The way to educate poor children effectively lies in the fusion of school social work and knowledge about effective schools. The following factors should be of concern to social workers: (1) parent involvement; (2) student welfare; (3) administrative leadership; (4) academic focus; (5) consistent monitoring of student progress; (6) high…

For poor and minority teenagers the lack of adequate life options may increase their desire for early pregnancy. Since teen mothers face probable poverty and single parenthood, it is imperative that schools and school social workers provide counseling, health services, and work preparation as well as academic skills training. (VM)

School social workers can foster partnerships between family and school. Both the home environment and the amount of parent involvement can add or detract from educational productivity for students. Aspirations for excellence have a better chance if the social worker helps to forge relationships between families, communities and schools. (VM)