Continuing Education for School Social Workers: A Learner-Friendly Model

Abstract

The paper describes the steps of an inquiry by a state-wide association of schoo' social workers into the continuing learning needs of members and considerations for the design of a comprehensive program of continuing professional education. The paper presents an analysis of learning needs as perceived by practitioners of social work in Wisconsin schools in a process involving a 25 per cent sample of the school social worker population. The paper proposes an andragogical, adult education, or learner-friendly model as an appropriate basis for a program of continuing professional education, and discusses the various factors that must be taken into account in the design, construction end execution of such a program. Finally, the paper suggests a process involving representatives of the professional association, the employing and regulatory agencies and university-affiliated educational consultants as a means of forwarding the inquiry and leading to the design of a workable program of continuing professional education. c 1985 by Wi.liam H. Koch & Betty Sancier * Abridged version presented at the National Adult Education Conference, American Association for Adult and Continuing Education, Milwaukee, Wis., November 9, 1935 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER lERICI The document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it i'l Mmor chants have been made to imp. ovit reproduchon quality Points of view or opinions stated on this docu ment do not necessarrty represent official NIE Position or policy PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS ,EN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC).