Different ways to broker: school social workers, resource distribution, and equity for immigrant students

ABSTRACT

This study uses quantitative methods to explore the role of school social workers (SSWs) in promoting education equity for immigrant students. We focus on how SSWs act as resource brokers, connecting immigrant students to valuable resources both in schools and the wider community. Our analysis is based on data from a national survey of SSWs (N = 324). Through regression and multivariate analyses we find that a significant number of SSWs actively facilitate resource access for immigrant students. This often involves bridging the gap between teachers and immigrant parents. Notably, SSWs were more likely to engage in these brokerage activities when they recognized that the students were adversely affected by the threat of immigration enforcement. We conclude with targeted recommendations for policy and practice to better train and support SSWs as resource brokers.

KEYWORDS:

• Immigrant students
• school social workers
• brokering
• newcomers
• immigration enforcement

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Spencer Foundation.