Results of the 2010 Statewide New Mexico School Social Work Survey: Implications for Evaluating the Effectiveness of School Social Work.

Abstract

As is reflected in the school social work literature on practice outcome evaluation, the use of effective outcome measures (Cobb & Jordan, 2006) as well as the capacity to link those measures to educational outcomes (Franke & Lynch, 2006) is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of school social work. In addition, effective report writing is important for school social workers who are planning to present the findings of their evaluation to decision-makers (Jacobs & Shropshire, 2006). It is also helpful if school social workers are able to access an information management system to help them track their progress in meeting practice goals. The capacity to construct accountability tools that use the school’s database (Jonson-Reid, 2006; Patterson, 2006), as well as open access to aggregate data, are important to upholding what are considered best practices in school social work practice evaluation (Massat, Constable, McDonald, & Flynn, 2009; Staudt & Alter, 1992). Although school social workers in America have been plying their craft since the early 1900's, today's professionals are facing unique challenges in their workplaces, in part due to the fragile economy and shrinking school system budgets (Nelson, 2008; Pace, 2008; Roberts, 2008). Not the least of these is the growing need to prove that the services they offer are necessary and valuable. Importantly, social workers in the schools are working in a host setting where the system often recognizes the host’s purpose as the service of the most value. This creates a problem for related service professionals. Because the host has a different role and focus, it may unintentionally act discriminatively towards those outside that role. Social workers looking for a supportive K-12 work environment may become discouraged when they find they have little or no voice in administration or if they perceive, possibly correctly, that their employer does not understand or value their services.

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