School Social 580

School Social580 Web Page: http://content.parkhill.k12.mo.us/FRS/SW580.htm

School Social Work • Syllabus/ Assignments • Overview of School Social Work • “Freedom Writers” • “Many Ways of Knowing” • Group- “First Memory of School” • Ethics and Standards • Roles & Responsibility • History & Major Educational Legislation

Course Requirements Participation: Be prepared to participate in course discussion and activities. Prompt and regular attendance is expected. Readings should be completed before class meetings. • Book Study: Will lead one book study discussion • Mini Assignments: There will be 3 mini assignments that will require information brought to class to perform in-class group work. • Oral/Written Presentation: You will be asked to create a presentation for the class on one of the suggested topics (see handout). This assignment is designed for you to become our class “expert” on a pertinent school topic, and to present it to the class in a manner that encourages participation and discussion. After you have completed your presentation you will need to submit a written discussion of what you learned from presenting to the class. • Portfolio: Your accomplishment of education outcomes and school social work standards (see handout) will be documented in a portfolio. Guidelines for the content and preparation of portfolios will be presented in class.

Grading Class participation, (1 point per hour) 40 pts Book Study (run 1 session each) 30 pts Mini Assignments (3 at 10 pts each) 30 pts Oral/ Written Presentation 40 pts Portfolio 60 pts

Overview of School Social Work “As a field of practice, school social work has expanded its scope and changed the professional identity of its practitioners. Many of the economic, educational, and social changes that occur have made family life more difficult, increasing the number of at-risk children in public schools and the range of services they require.”

Ethics & Standards Roles & Responsibilities Major Educational Legislation School as a System Confidentiality/ FERPA Documentation/ Record keeping Special Education Equal Educational Opportunity Areas of Risk Behavior Problems School Issues Cross-cultural practice Risk & Resiliency Services in schools Assessment & treatment Group work Engaging families & communities Evaluation Knowledge Areas

Freedom Writers The story beginsin 1994 when freshmen at a Long Beach high school are assigned to an English class for "problem kids." Darrius is on parole. Henry is dealing crack. Gang membership is the norm in this class of mainly poor and non-white kids. An unlikely new teacher walks in wearing a preppie suit and pearls. Erin Gruwell is fresh out of teacher training and tries to do her job with calm and patience.

But just days later, she flies off the handle. She actually screams at her startled students. Her outburst is not due to the rowdy inattentiveness of Room 203. She has intercepted a note of a sketched black face with cartoon lips. Infuriated, Ms. Gruwell yells that this is the kind of stereotyping that led to the Holocaust. The students respond with blank stares. Her students have never heard of the Holocaust. She asks how many have been shot at for belonging to a "wrong" group. Nearly everyone in the class raises a hand.

"These kids were the failing, dyslexic, gang-member students that got thrown into one class," said Gruwell. "Even in the teachers lounge, they were referred to as 'stupid,' 'dumb,' and 'for heavens' sake don't give them a computer, they'll hock it!'" "Why does the world's richest economy settle for a poor education system?" And, more importantly, "How can we change that?"

Many Ways of Knowing • What is truth? • How may we know it? • Is there such thing as truth and may we ever know it? “Those who define the questions to be asked define the parameters of the answers, and it is the parameters of the questions and the ensuing answers that function as the lens by which people view reality?

Many Ways of Knowing • Distance & objectivity • Deeply personal & empathic knowing • Statistical analysis & probability tests • “Being there” • “practice wisdom” “We must not turn our backs on any opportunity to enhance or knowledge”

Code of Ethics Safeguards the reputation of a professional by providing explicit criteria that can be employed to regulate the behavior of members. Furthers competent and reasonable practice by its members. Protects the public from exploitation by unscrupulous or incompetent practitioners.

Guiding Principles for Social Workers Principles are basic rules or guides to one’s practice behavior. Principles Focused on the Social Worker as a Professional Person The Social Worker Should Practice Social Work The Social Worker Should Engage in Conscious Use of Self The Social Worker Should Maintain Professional Objectivity The Social Worker Should Respect Human Diversity The Social Worker Should Seek Personal and Professional Growth

Principles That Guide Practice Activities The Social Worker Should Do No Harm The Social Worker Should Engage in Conscious Knowledge The Social Worker Should Engage in Conscious Value-Guided and Ethical Practice The Social Worker Should Be Concerned with the Whole Person The Social Worker Should Treat the Client with Dignity The Social Worker Should Individualize the Client The Social Worker Should Lend Vision to the Client The Social Worker Should Build on Clients Strengths The Social Worker Should Maximize Client Participation The Social Worker Should Maximize Client Self- Determination The Social Worker Should Help the Client Learn Self- Directed Problem-Solving Skills The Social Worker Should Maximize Client Empowerment The Social Worker Should Protect Client Confidentiality The Social Worker Should Adhere to the Philosophy of Normalization – The Social Worker Should Continuously Evaluate the Progress of the Change Process The Social Worker Should Be Accountable to Clients, Agency, Community, and the Social Work

Standards for Social Work Services in Schools • Competence and professional practice • Professional preparation and development • Administrative structure and support

Broker Advocate Teacher Counselor Case Manager Staff Developer Social Change Agent Professional Team Member Consultant Group Leader Roles & Responsibilities

History

Major Educational Legislation

School Social 580