Kopels (1992) challenged the NASW position by arguing that school social workers have?

• A. They owe obligations to a single client
• B. They owe obligations to multiple clients
• C. No ethical obligations exist
• D. Obligations only to the school

Answer: (B)

In school settings, a social worker’s duties involve more than one group of people who are affected by the work—students, families, teachers, and the school itself. Kopels argued that this reality means school social workers owe obligations to multiple clients, not just a single one. This perspective helps explain why ethical decisions in schools require balancing competing interests and advocating for the student while also considering the needs and policies of the school and community. The idea of obligations to only one client or no ethical obligations at all doesn’t fit the school context, and saying obligations lie only with the school ignores the legitimate roles and interests of students and families.