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One million acres of forest protected under The Conservation Fund, including in OR; Trump seeks to set aside his New York hush money guilty verdict after Supreme Court immunity ruling; 'Share the Pennies' weatherization program tackles climate solutions, reduces cost; Utah feels the impact of California's ban on gestation crates.

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SCOTUS gives former President Trump a huge win in terms of immunity, which might apply to charges of election interference. A new poll finds future court appointments are crucial for voters, and President Biden continues to face post-debate calls to leave the race.

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Ugly, imperfect produce destined for the landfill is being upcycled by a California candy company, a Texas volunteer uses his Navy training to map the gaps in broadband, and Pennsylvania has a new commission tasked with reversing its shrinking rural population.

ME social workers, educators seek end to state licensing exam

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Monday, March 25, 2024   

Social workers in Maine say the state's required licensing exam is biased and contributing to a shortage of workers in the field.

Data show disparities in pass rates for people of color, nonnative English speakers and older adults.

Jeanette Andonian, associate dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Southern Maine, said failure to pass the exam can delay graduate students' entry into the workforce for years.

"I have known social-work students from our program, outstanding students, like top of their class students, who fail the test multiple times," Andonian observed.

Meanwhile, Andonian pointed out there are not enough social workers to help Maine's growing unhoused population, those struggling with drug addiction or older Mainers in need of social services. She noted graduate students must already demonstrate professional competence before earning their degree.

Maine lawmakers recently amended legislation, which would have placed a moratorium on the licensing exam, choosing instead to create a commission to study the licensing requirements. Andonian expressed disappointment with the lawmakers' decision. She explained other states, which have eliminated the exam have seen significant increases in the number of social workers entering the field.

"Taking a multiple-choice exam with biased questions does nothing to demonstrate practice competency," Andonian asserted. "It only tells us that a person was able to pass a multiple-choice test. A ridiculous hurdle."

Some of those in favor of retaining the exam requirement said schools are failing to help students better prepare for and pass exams. But Andonian said she sometimes has struggled to answer test questions herself. She said Maine needs a diverse profession of social workers in order to serve a diverse population, and people, she said, need help now.


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