Key Principles for Developing Gatekeeping Standards for Working with Students with Problems

Abstract

Schools and programs of social work continually strive to develop effective gatekeeping procedures to promote optimal functioning of students while maintaining quality control in professional education. Program administrators and classroom, field, and adjunct faculty are key to the process of developing and implementing student standards. This article highlights current issues in social work education, reviews literature on gatekeeping, and describes key principles with examples for developing, implementing, and evaluating student standards. It outlines specific standards and provides observations and recommendations for using them.

Key Words:

• Gatekeeping
• standards
• student performance
• social work education
• professional suitability
• academic expectations