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IntroductionSocial workers, in general, have always treated their clients fairly and with respect. School social workers have been no different. They have always worked to help young children and teenagers become better students and better young people. Currently, school social workers are helping students by taking a broader view of the student and his environment than they have done in the past.
In the past, school social workers were trained to look at a troubled student’s emotional issues and without taking into account the student’s home life. But, school social workers abandoned this approached because so many of the children they saw were underprivileged and neglected and this could not be ignored. So, social workers began looking at the way a child’s environment including their home and neighborhood might influence their behavior.
Over the years, school social workers and researchers discovered many new methods to help students. Each new method of helped guide the practice of school social work in the United States during the 1970s.
Things changed again in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Social workers took on more duties in part because of new laws that gave all children the right to a free and appropriate education. During this time school social workers became advocates for students supporting programs and polices to help students and their families. During this time school social workers began working with teachers, special education teachers, and administrative staff to help the students.
Even now the role of school social workers continues to change. Issues like health care reform, changes in the law, decreasing school budgets, increased poverty among children and families, and the increase in school violence are forcing these changes.
A recent law that gives disabled students the right to an education has caused the role of school social workers to change even more. And, now school social workers are looking at the way a student’s particular culture influences their behavior.
The latest trend in school social work involves looking at the school as part of the community, not separate from it. Students, their family, and school personnel are seen as part of this larger community that is constantly changing. The challenge for school social workers in the 21st century will be to work within this model.
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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Association of Social Workers or its members.
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