Which statement about self-assessment is true for school social workers?

• A. It is necessary only within the context of cross-cultural knowledge and skills
• B. It is required only during the first year of practice
• C. It is not required for licensure renewals
• D. They should continually assess their personal strengths and needs to improve their practice

Answer: (D)

Self-assessment as an ongoing practice helps a school social worker continuously reflect on personal strengths and areas for growth to improve how they work with students, families, and school staff. Because this is a perennial process, it guides ongoing professional development, seeking supervision when needed, and planning targeted learning to adapt to diverse student needs and changing contexts. This isn’t limited to any single domain like cross-cultural knowledge, nor confined to the first year, and it isn’t something that ends with licensure renewal. When a practitioner regularly considers what they do well and where they could improve—whether in communication, crisis management, collaboration with teachers, or culturally responsive approaches—it leads to better outcomes for students and more ethical, effective practice. For example, a teacher-student relationship might reveal a need for more trauma-informed communication strategies, which the social worker would address through reflective practice and related training.