Tennessee's school funding formula does not adequately support the state's schools. This report analyzes the impact of underfunding on staffing levels and the resulting inequities created between high- and low-income school districts. The state's school formula funding, even when supplemented by local funding above the required local share,…

In this study, we extend research on the allocation of educational resources to an underdeveloped domain--the distribution of counselors, psychologists, and social workers (i.e., support personnel) to schools. Using administrative data for all North Carolina public schools in the 2007-2008 through 2015-2016 school years, we measure the allocation…

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:…

Educational researchers have been exploring academic outcomes for at-risk students for many years but somehow have not been successful in closing the achievement gap that exists for at-risk students of color. Acknowledging that gap and developing programs and practices that can be implemented within a shared vision can ensure that all students can…

This article describes how school social workers and teachers perceive their cooperation with each other with regard to pupils' well-being in Swedish schools. A total of 23 qualitative interviews were conducted with a strategic sample of teachers and school social workers. The analysis of the interview data was based on Andrew Abbott's theory of…

Graduate students in school psychology, school counseling, and school social work are training to work as school-based professionals. In their professional roles, they work with students facing a variety of academic, social, and psychological challenges, including students who are developing their understanding of their own sexual orientation,…

Parents and family members play an essential role in the literacy development of their children. Research indicates that children with disabilities enrolled in early childhood programs are likely to experience marginalization in terms of receiving educational services. This research emphasizes the importance of exposing students with disabilities…

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…

Although the role of the school social worker has historically been inconsistent, fragmented, and contextual, concerns about the need to advocate for school social work positions, demonstrate the effectiveness of school social work practice, understand the consequences of role ambiguity, and respond in a proactive way to policy changes has…

For more than a century, social workers have been a life force within the education system. Throughout recent history school social workers have had an array of responsibilities within the school community. They have served as counselors, mediators, and advocates. Traditionally, school social workers have been primary facilitators of communication…

In this era of accountability, evidenced-based practice, and response to intervention, it behooves school social workers to identify and implement theory-informed and research-supported interventions to address school-level struggles that negatively impact school success for at-risk students. To that end, school social workers need to develop the…

Background: Student attention is a stable predictor of academic performance, with lower levels of attention associated with poorer grades. Claims about students' attention may better reflect social processes than student deficits. School social workers may be especially situated to address the interaction of child and classroom factors impeding…

Recent educational programs and initiatives hinge on effective collaboration between education professionals, such as school social workers, school psychologists, teachers, and principals. Our inquiry seeks to build on prior conceptual work to unpack the collaborative stance of school social workers by examining how they conceptualize their role…

This article addresses the impact of high school social workers on the graduation rates of incoming freshmen. Following a review of the limited literature on school social workers and student outcomes, it presents results of a study on the relation between school social workers and graduation rates in the one hundred largest school districts in…

Current and future decisions to leave the field of education affect the quality of schools and the next generations of learners, teachers and school leaders in the nation. Physical and verbal violence directed against teachers may be exacerbating reports of high stress, transfers and leaving the profession. This technical report outlines key…