SWK 613 - Special Instruction and Support Services for Diverse Populations

This course introduces students to the school social worker's role as a specialized instructional support personnel (SISP), whose task is to enhance the ability of every school child to learn to his or her capacity. Through the study of research, practice, and policy issues facing school children, especially those with exceptionalities, students in this course will learn to promote educational services and expand educational success for children with exceptionalities, their families, schools, and communities. Students will learn the imperative for multidisciplinary collaboration that advances student well-being and supportive school environments. Recognizing the influence of historical and cultural contexts, diversity and oppression as well as social and economic forces shaping educational experiences are examined, specifically focusing on the occurrence of educational disparities and academic outcomes. Students enrolled in the Master of Social Work Schools Concentration are required to take the course as part of the Schools Concentration curriculum requirements.