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Dropping out, a phenomenon heavily concentrated in communities of color, hampers the academic success of multicultural students. Multiculturalism can help make school an inviting place for vulnerable youths, and school social workers (SSWRs) are in a position to advocate for school environments that are conducive to academic success. The present study surveyed 339 SSWRs on individual activities that promote a school environment supportive of diversity and the relationship of these activities to school policies. The majority of these SSWRs reported that they engage in activities that promote diversity and multiculturalism. In addition, results indicated SSRWs' perceptions of school policies impacted certain practice behaviors. The relevance of these findings to practice, policy, and research implications for SSWRs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The continuing increase in cancer rates among women in the United States is forcing more men to experience the impact of breast cancer on their relationships. Using 71 male partners of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, this study assessed how dyadic coping strategies affected men's adjustment to their partners' illness. While their partners were undergoing treatment, participants completed standardized instruments that measured emotional wellbeing, illness intrusiveness, and dyadic coping styles. Regression analysis revealed significant associations between coping styles and illness intrusiveness. In addition, depression predisposed men to poorer adjustment and affected their coping patterns. The findings emphasize that social workers must work with patients and partners to develop positive couple coping strategies. Practice implications for social workers are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative multidimensional mentoring program sponsored through collaboration with area businesses, schools and volunteers. The goal of the program is to help students develop a school-job orientation through mentoring, field trips, in-class presentations, career exploration classes, job shadowing and paid internships during the junior and senior years. The target school of the program is a district that serves nearly 50,000 students. The implications of the program for school social workers are also discussed in this article.

The article presents a study, which assesses the impact of mutual emotional support as perceived by male partners on their adjustment to the diagnosis and the illness and on interactions between their perceived emotional support and their coping methods. Standardized instruments were used to test 71 male partners of newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients to measure emotional wellbeing, illness intrusiveness, emotional support, dyadic coping styles, and demographic factors. According to the results of the study, it is suggested that as social workers must increase their understanding on how to assists patients' partners effectively. The study stresses the need to work with patients and partners to develop positive coping strategies as couple.

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, the authors examine the impact that academic tracking (ability grouping) has on the lives of school children. The sample consisted of 1,922 high school graduates of roughly equal numbers of white men, white women, black men, and black women. Results show that this controversial school practice interacts with the powerful social forces of race, gender, and socioeconomic status to limit the life chances of some children, especially those from racial minority groups. It is argued that tracking is a form of educational neglect that needs to come to the attention of school social workers. School social workers, like all social workers, are professionally obligated to work for social justice and to provide equal opportunities for all. School social workers need to be aware of any school practice that might restrict the potential for already at-risk children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]