Schools as Sites of Mandated Reporting: Insights from a National Survey of School Social Workers

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Saturday 9:45 am
  In Poster Session: Counseling Poster Session B

Abstract

Public schools are major sources of reports to child protective services (CPS). Reports from school personnel are the least likely to be substantiated, compared to those from other professionals, yet few empirical studies have examined school personnel’s reporting practices. Using data from a national survey of 455 School Social Workers, this study examines training, reporting practices, and factors influencing reporting decisions. Findings indicated that SSWers who were White, younger, worked in a school serving higher proportions of low-income students, and had higher levels of satisfaction with CPS had significantly higher reporting frequency. Future research is needed to better understand the role of individual and school-level factors in reporting decisions.

Authors

• Erin Sugrue, Augsburg University

• Ashley-Marie H. Daftary, University of Nevada - Reno