BUSSW Licensure Prep Initiative Addresses Inequity & Test Bias
Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) has launched a project to address inequities in social work licensure testing by providing targeted support to those who may have historically experienced barriers in testing and/or who may have encountered difficulties in test-taking, and expanding test prep for all students.
The Licensing Empowerment and Achievement Initiative originated with the School’s Equity & Inclusion Committee in response to data showing that Black, Latinx and non-native English speaking students pass the exam at significantly lower rates than their White counterparts. The discrepancy can be partly attributed to test bias, a systematic assessment error, as well as a lack of financial resources and study time compared to White and native English speaking peers. These factors make it less likely for Black, Latinx and non-native English speaking students to pass the exams on their first try, leading to more time and money spent for students already facing inequities.
BUSSW’s licensing prep initiative addresses these issues by offering more resources and financial assistance specifically to those populations, in addition to increased support for all students. The effort builds upon the School’s long-standing licensure preparation workshop and study resources.
New offerings provided to all BUSSW students across all platforms and states include:
- An expanded staff-led licensing prep workshop
- Workshops hosted by the BU Educational Resource Center on test anxiety management and study skills for multiple choice exams, featuring BIPOC alumni sharing their strategies for successfully passing the exam
For graduating students who may have historically experienced barriers in testing and/or who may have encountered difficulties in test-taking., additional offerings include:
- A steeply discounted in-depth 6-hour LCSW preparation course provided by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) with an accompanying study guide
- Three free 4-week study groups facilitated by trained BUSSW staff
- Discounted individual study support from BUSSW advisor and test prep specialist Marsha Girault-Macias
- Scholarships for the licensing preparation course for those who need them
- A lottery for vouchers to pay for the licensing registration fee
The initiative is a collaborative effort between BUSSW, the BU Educational Resource Center, the Association of Social Work Board, the Massachusetts Licensing Board, and NASW Massachusetts Chapter, with funding provided by the BU Newbury Center, the BU Inclusion Catalyst Grants program, a BU mini-assessment grant, and the BUSSW Online Program. The School’s Equity & Inclusion Committee, BIPOC alumni group, and all three Master of Social Work programs are contributing to the initiative, which was developed by Debra Berglin, LICSW, director of the BUSSW Cape Cod Program, with significant input from BUSSW students.
The mini-assessment grant will support a review of the initiative, with feedback from students, by BUSSW senior lecturer and research course coordinator Faith Little. An evaluation phase will take place in late 2023 and early 2024 with the aim of refining and expanding the project’s offerings.