Comparison of school counselors and school social workers: Performance of tasks and perceived preparedness

Abstract

This study compares the professional roles of school counselors and school social workers in terms of the frequency of performing various practice tasks, feelings of preparedness to perform various practice tasks, discrepancies between frequency of task performance and feelings of preparedness to perform said tasks, and factors that may affect frequency of task performance and perceived feelings of preparedness. Data was gathered through the administering of a questionnaire, which was distributed to secondary school counselors and school social workers in the New York City area. One hundred thirty four questionnaires were returned and used for the findings of this study.;The findings of this study indicate that significant differences exist between school counselors and school social workers in regards to their feelings of preparedness to perform practice tasks pertaining to clinical mental health services, crisis intervention, academic and career/vocational development, home-school-community liaison, and non-counseling/administrative duties. Significant differences are also shown to exist between these professionals in regards to the frequency with which they perform practice tasks pertaining to clinical mental health services, academic and career/vocational development, and non-counseling/administrative duties. Both school counselors and school social workers commonly report high frequency, as well as strong feelings of preparedness, in performing tasks pertaining to individual/group counseling, therapeutic alliance/practice skills, and value based practice.;In regards to discrepancies between frequency of task performance and feelings of preparedness, the findings of this study do not appear to indicate any major discrepancies in any task area, nor does either professional group report feelings of preparedness lower than the reported frequencies for any task area. Lastly, study findings suggest the possible existence of role overlap for a variety of roles, as well as the possible existence of role overload, which may have caused various roles to be neglected.;This study can potentially influence the development and implementation of graduate-level academic programs, the delivery of appropriate services to students, enhanced communication and collaboration between the professionals, government funding, established professional knowledge and theory, and professional standing and distinction.