The purpose of the research reported in this article was to advance understanding of the work of school social workers with grieving students. This research was aimed at answering the following question: What are school social workers' experiences working with grieving children? There were two steps in this study. Fifty-nine school social…

In the 21st century, substantial advancements have been made across the globe that positively affect the ability for school-based social workers in the fields of practice, policy, and research to meet the needs of the world's youths. Nonetheless, children continue to suffer from poverty-stricken environments, absence of basic needs, poor or…

This article analyzes school social work's history to provide perspective on current dilemmas in social work practice and research. The authors use interstitial emergence theory, which holds that practices from overlapping fields (like social work and K-12 education) can develop into new fields, as an analytic framework. This perspective extends…

This study examined different factors affecting the perceptions of barriers in academic achievement of Latino K-12 students. The study used data from 1,508 participants who identified themselves as being of Hispanic or Latino heritage in the 2004 National Survey of Latinos: Education, compiled by the Pew Hispanic Center between August 7 and…

There is a paucity of literature on social skills therapy for students on the autism spectrum, revealing an urgent need for additional research. Past research has focused on the use of small groups or single-case study designs. The present study examines the effectiveness of a social skills therapy program for school-age children ages 11 through…

Positive behavior support (PBS) is being implemented in more than 5,300 schools in the United States. In this article, the authors review the conceptual components, implementation features, and evidence base of PBS; discuss its implementation at the preschool level; and explore implications for school social work practice. Whether starting PBS…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy with children who have classroom-related behavior problems within a school setting. Five to seven sessions of solution-focused brief therapy services were provided to 67 children, identified by school faculty and staff as needing assistance in solving behavior problems.…

This article discusses the difficulties in conducting intervention research or evaluating intervention programs in a school setting. In particular, the problems associated with randomization and obtaining control groups are examined. The use of quasi-experimental designs, specifically a paired comparison design using the individual as his or her…

The violence prevention program Connections, described in this article, represents the culmination of the efforts of several social work faculty to forge a partnership with a local school district to address students' needs to learn and feel safe at school, using known best practices, while simultaneously providing education for social work…

Reports on a multimethod study of a neighborhood watch program designed to protect inner city school children from violence while traveling from home and school. Analysis indicated that in addition to contributing to perceptions of enhanced safety, the program also served to improve the quality of neighborhood interaction. Discusses implications…

Concern has grown over the overrepresentation of African American male students in special education classes. This article highlights this problem and illustrates the use of a solution-focused approach to early intervention with African American young men who are at risk of being placed in special education. (Author)

This study of individualized family service plans (IFSPs) addresses two questions. First, do IFSPs include family-centered assessment and outcome data (an indicator that the practices established by the legislation are taking place)? Second, does the family-centered data recorded in the IFSP vary with the presence or absence of a school social…

This longitudinal study of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders builds on the research of Solorzano, who examined Ogbu's caste theory of educational attainment. When gender, socioeconomic status, locus of control, parental college aspirations, and academic achievement were controlled, this study found that African American youths' level of educational…

This process evaluation examines the psychosocial services of students who were assigned to an alternative educational program for disciplinary reasons. Study demonstrates the intensive school social work services needed by students assigned to an alternative educational program before they can begin to be productive in traditional school.…

Reports on qualitative analyses on written responses to questions of school violence from school social workers (N=500). Respondents suggest that when a severe and violent event occurs, the entire school community should be cared for in the response. Comments reflect the severe sense of isolation, powerlessness, and despair school staff experience…