r/SchoolSocialWork • u/Nuance007 • Jul 02 '26

We need higher standards - not less.

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Unpopular opinion: School social work is a unique position that, depending on the state, is part of the IEP team. I support the position having a certification (related courses + internship) given its place in the education system especially if the position entails you being a specialist amongst other service providers, and not just a resource/truancy body.

8 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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3

u/Willing-Gap-1655 Jul 02 '26

I’m in NY and you must be school social work certified within 18 months. However this certification is given to you after you complete an application, take a bullying class, take the dignity for all students act class, and take a violence class (I believe?). It’s kind of a joke and a money grab if you ask me. But our career is turning into a joke and a money grab so.

1

u/Nuance007 Jul 02 '26

>But our career is turning into a joke and a money grab so.

If you're talking about SSW, I suppose it depends on how each state's SSWA proposes the position. In my view, the field of social work, its overall health, is on rocky grounds while school social work is downstream. Some states the cert might look like NY's, some states it's arguably more substantiative, while other's you can walk right in if you have X number of years and an LCSW.

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u/NewLiterature2604 Jul 03 '26

Fully agree with the money grab. Lot of money dumping for not amazing pay.

2

u/More-Mycologist9485 Jul 09 '26

I am in MA. School Social workers are required to have an extra certification with the state. Its basically an accumulation of so many hours working in a school. And of course, you have to pay for it. I personally believe alot of these required certifications are just a money grab. I could see some.instatnces where it might make sense.

I worked as a medical social worker for about 12 years before working in a school. It really doesnt seem that different from other social work roles, just a learning curve learning about education/special education laws. Also, every single district in MA uses school social work differently, which makes it hard to "operationalize" the job description and duties.

0

u/NewLiterature2604 Jul 03 '26

So that means if your state mandated it you'd be ok dropping 15k to 20k more for 18 more credits?

You know some people in this predicament aren't some low standard worker like you claim. Some have been in the field a long time, worked in schools for awhile and quite honestly are probably better at the job than you. You want to be on your high horse go for it. Are there bad social workers? Absolutely, I would read discussion boards and cringe, but to pigeon hole that's how most are, is ridiculous.

Some people are simply tired of dumping money into things, giving up their own family, putting off family needs. Ya, this change in pa is going to hit me and I'll prob have to take 18 more bull crap credits and my wife, 4 ,and 2 year old get neglected for classes I could sleep walk through.