to encourage and effect publications, communications, and conferences
regarding the activities, interests, and concerns within the specialty
on a regional, national, and international basis.
Archival Description
of the Specialty
School Psychology
School Psychology is a general practice and health service provider
specialty of professional psychology that is concerned with the
science and practice of psychology with children, youth, families;
learners of all ages; and the schooling process. The basic education
and training of school psychologists prepares them to provide
a range of psychological assessment, intervention, prevention,
health promotion, and program development and evaluation services
with a special focus on the developmental processes of children
and youth within the context of schools, families, and other systems.
School psychologists are prepared to intervene at the individual
and system level, and develop, implement, and evaluate preventive
programs. In these efforts, they conduct ecologically valid assessments
and intervene to promote positive learning environments within
which children and youth from diverse backgrounds have equal access
to effective educational and psychological services to promote
healthy development.
Parameters To Define Professional
Practice
in School Psychology
School psychological services are provided in a broad array of
settings (e.g., schools, workplace, school- based and school-linked
health centers, as well as medical, social service, or correctional
facilities). School psychologists recognize schools as a crucial
context for development. They know effective instructional processes;
understand classroom and school environments; understand the organization
and operation of schools and agencies; apply principles of learning
to the development of competence both within and outside school;
consult with educators and other professionals regarding cognitive,
affective, social, and behavioral performance; assess developmental
needs and develop educational environments that meet those diverse
needs; coordinate educational, psychological, and behavioral health
services by working at the interface of these systems; intervene
to improve organizations and develop effective partnerships between
parents and educators and other caretakers.
An essential role of the school psychologist is synthesizing
information on developmental mechanisms and contexts and translating
it for adults who are responsible for promoting the healthy growth
and development of children and youth in a wide range of educational
contexts.
Populations
Consistent with an emphasis on the development of competence,
school psychologists provide services to learners of all ages
and the systems and agencies that serve them and their families.
Among the populations served are:
Individuals from birth to young adulthood presenting learning
or behavior problems; specific disabilities that affect learning,
behavior, or school-to-work transitions; those that experience
chronic or acute conditions of childhood and adolescence that
influence learning and mental health; and, individuals with mental
disorders first evident in infancy, childhood or adolescence.
Families who request diagnostic evaluations of learning disabilities
and social problems and assistance with academic and behavioral
problems at home and at school.
Teachers, parents, and other adults to enhance their ability
to provide healthy relationships and environments that promote
learning and development.
Organizations and agencies to promote contexts that are conducive
to learning and development.
Problems
Among the problems addressed by school
psychologists are:
Educational and developmental problems related to school achievement
and school adjustment, social or interpersonal problems related
to learning or behavior; specific disabilities and disorders that
affect learning, behavior, or school-to-work adjustment; chronic
or acute situations of childhood and adolescence that influence
learning or mental health, such as personal or school crises or
mental disorders first noticed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence.
Adverse social conditions that threaten healthy development in
school and community, such as community and school violence, juvenile
delinquency, teenage pregnancy, and substance abuse.
Problems of instructional and learning environments that affect
the functioning of the school age population.
Procedures
In addition
to those procedures typically associated with the general practice
of psychology:
Assessment of abilities, achievement, social and emotional functioning,
personality, and developmental status; use of interviews, observations,
and performance assessments to understand learning and behavior
problems: accountability for valid and reliable measures of behavior
and treatment progress.
Diagnostic assessments to support eligibility for and delivery
of services within statutorily regulated contexts that integrate
diagnostic information from other professionals to support recommendations
for educational modifications and community services.
Primary prevention programs to reduce the incidence of school
violence, sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, and programs to promote
children's well-being through more appropriate educational and
classroom accommodations; secondary prevention programs to assist
students who have mild or transitory problems that interfere with
school performance, such as poor peer relationships, learning
or behavior problems in the classroom, and adjustment to adoption,
death or divorce.
Crisis intervention services that support children following
natural disasters, violence, abuse, death, or suicide by a student.
Consultation with teachers, parents, agency administrators and
supervision of psychological services staff concerning children's
behavior and academic and social problems; professional development
programs for teachers; design and direction of comprehensive and
integrated service delivery systems.
Consultation with physicians and other professionals concerning
the school functioning and learning of children with disorders
such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders,
chronic illness, physical or genetic conditions, and substance
abuse.
Educational evaluation services including development of appropriate
measures of child behavior and classroom contexts; analysis of
academic achievement using standardized tests, performance assessment,
self reports, and other appropriate methods; evaluation of individualized
educational plans; observation and measurement of teacher and
parent behaviors; and evaluation of instructional and organizational
environments.
School psychology has evolved as a specialty area with core knowledge
rooted in psychology and education. School psychologists have
advanced knowledge of theories and empirical findings in developmental
and social psychology, and developmental psychopathology within
cultural contexts, and in the areas of learning and effective
instruction, effective schools, and family and parenting processes.
School psychologists conceptualize children’s development
from multiple theoretical perspectives and translate current scientific
findings to alleviate cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional
problems encountered in schooling. A strong foundation in measurement
theory and applications of advanced statistical methodology support
efforts by school psychologists to design or evaluate standardized
and non-standardized measures in emerging assessment areas for
individuals from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds
and to design and evaluate innovative classroom programs, comprehensive
and integrated service systems, and educational and psychological
interventions.
School psychologists are accountable for the integrity of their
practice. They protect the rights of children and their families
in research, psychological assessment, and intervention. Their
work reflects knowledge of federal law and regulations, case law,
and state statutes and regulations for schools and psychological
services. They appreciate the importance of the historical influences
of educational, community, state, federal, and organizational
dynamics on academic, social, and emotional functioning of children
and youth in educational settings.
Professional preparation for the specialty of School Psychology
occurs at the doctoral level.
To Top
Division
of School Psychology
