Integrated psychological services in the Greeley-Evans public schools.

Integrated school psychological services were implemented 12 years ago in the Greeley-Evans Public Schools by combining the positions of school psychologist and school social worker and placing each professional in an elementary school full-time. After 5 years, services were expanded to secondary schools such that all schools had a full-time school psychologist. Using Bennett's (1988) model for the evaluation of alternative services to determine success in meeting stated goals, a number of positive outcomes were achieved. A time-use survey indicated increased involvement with a variety of interventions for school psychologists. The results of a consumer satisfaction questionnaire given to teachers, administrators, and support personnel also suggested positive perceptions of the new role. Additionally, placement of students with significant emotional disturbance decreased over this time period relative to a 34% student enrollment increase. It is hoped that the long-term implementation of an alternative school psychological services model such as this one will encourage others to enact ecologically responsive services relative to their unique systems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Responding to the Needs of Children, Families, and Schools: The 2002 Multisite Conference on the Future of School Psychology.

The preparations for and the implementation of the 2002 Multisite Conference on the Future of School Psychology are described. The conference goals were to (a) achieve consensus on current and future demands for school psychologists and our profession's ability to meet those demands; (b) conceptualize the practice of school psychology in the face of diminishing numbers and increasing demand for services; and (c) develop an agenda to use the resources we have to maximize the benefits to the children and schools that we serve. A problem-solving model served as the conceptual foundation of the conference. School psychologists at the host site in Indianapolis and 30 remote sites collaborated to identify threats, opportunities, strategies, and action plans to respond better to the needs of children, families and schools. The conference not only generated excitement and hope for our future, but also provided a framework to propel the current and future practice of school psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mainstreaming psychology of women with school psychology.

With the resurgence of the women's movement in the late 1960s, a new scholarly field, the psychology of women, developed within psychology. Scholarship on women continues today both as a separate area of investigation and study and as an area integrated into mainstream American psychology. Although this effort has been ongoing within psychology, school psychology has focused relatively little on women's issues and on issues of sex and gender. This is surprising given the many women in the field of school psychology and in the schools. Thus, the purpose of this special issue is to begin a process of enrichment, much as other psychology fields have already been enriched, by mainstreaming the psychology of women with school psychology. Three articles and a discussion are presented in the miniseries. Each of the authors explores a different topic relevant to women and school psychology and includes a literature review as well as discussion of the salience of the literature to professional school psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The school as a psychological laboratory.

"Current training opportunities leading the graduate student of psychology to real understanding of children are… extremely limited… . Perhaps as good an explanation for the profession's neglect of such an important aspect of its field [child psychology] is to be found in the swings of academic fashion." To date, the public schools as settings for practicum experiences and internships have not been much exploited. Large city school systems present exciting possibilities. Courses of the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago have used the Chicago public schools since the 1930s. Typical research studies in which the Chicago schools have made facilities and subjects available are enumerated. "On the employment side, the positions for school psychologists in the Chicago schools jumped from 66 in 1957 to 90 in 1958." Psychological work in the schools requires thoughtful preparation. "Psychology must sell its wares to skeptical, if not openly hostile, teachers and administrators." Psychologists "must drop their supercilious attitude toward some of the basic tasks of school psychology… . The tremendous potential of the schools as a laboratory for research and training in almost all phases of psychological study must be more fully realized." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Taking the high road: Toward an applied educational psychology.

Presents the author's perspective on the future of school psychology as an applied field of psychology. The author responds to J. I. Bardon's (see record 1983-24212-001) proposals with respect to the National Association of School Psychologists/American Psychological Association dilemma and discusses school psychology's current status and model of functioning within the schools. A new conceptualization of school psychology is offered that calls for a broader domain than the schools for the provision of psychological services as well as for a new orientation of the field. (54 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Up close and personal: An inside look at university training programs in school psychology.

I am pleased to have the opportunity as Guest Associate Editor to build on the outstanding special feature of Professional School Psychology, "Up Close and Personal: An Inside Look at University Training Programs in School Psychology" initiated by Richard A. Weinberg (1986). By adding the school psychology program of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to the list of exemplary university training programs previously featured in the journal, we hope to maintain the established goal "to take a focused look at various programs through the eyes of the educators who have guided their direction" (Weinberg, 1986, p. 61). The feature's focus on American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited school psychology programs in a historical context provides a fascinating perspective on the intellectual history of programs and individual efforts to shape their academic and professional standards. Perhaps as we continue to feature school psychology programs, the focus on the future directions of each program will reveal the innovative changes emerging from the crucial scientific and practical issues in which professional psychology is currently engulfed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The flip side of the coin: Understanding the school's contribution to dropout and completion.

Argues that schools play an important role in fostering student retention and completion. It is suggested that psychological perspectives on the goodness of fit between students and the school environment should be used to guide school reform efforts. Using a structural perspective from organizational theory, the authors review aspects of schooling associated with dropout. They then briefly review selected reform initiatives that restructure the school environment to improve student achievement and retention. It is proposed that efforts to understand and promote school completion will be most effective if they are based on sound psychological theory and science and are embedded in an ecological perspective that accounts for the complex reciprocal interactions of individuals and their environment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

School psychology: A specialty of professional psychology with distinct competencies and complexities.

School psychology at the doctoral level is recognized as a specialty of professional psychology by the American Psychological Association, with corresponding licensure as a psychologist granted by state boards of psychology. School psychology also is regulated by state boards of education; they set the credentialing standards for professional practice in public schools. The intent of this article is to enhance the understanding of this distinct and multiply influenced specialty. The need for psychological services in schools is highlighted, followed by a discussion of multiple influences and licensing/credentialing issues. Next, the specialty is delineated, its distinctiveness highlighted, and competencies for practice in the public schools elaborated. Finally, education/training models and mechanisms for program accreditation are described, as are the major professional organizations in school psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evidence-based interventions in school psychology: Opportunities, challenges, and cautions.

Describes opportunities, challenges, and cautions in response to T. R. Kratochwill and K. C. Stoiber's vision and other critical issues for the evidence-based intervention (EBI) movement in school psychology. The authors' position can be summarized as follows: (1) the EBI Task Force in School Psychology presents the field with an unparalleled opportunity to influence school psychology training and practice; (2) the challenges presented by the actual coding of existing studies will spur improvements in the research methodology training of school psychology students and improvements in the design of future school-based research; and (3) the field is cautioned to consider carefully the unique context presented by the schools when evaluating intervention effectiveness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology in the Schools, School Psychology Review, School Psychology Quarterly and Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation Editors Collaborate to Chart School Psychology's Past, Present, and "Futures".

This introduction will briefly describe the special journal issues that will be offered in Psychology in the Schools (PITS), School Psychology issues Review (SPR), School Psychology Quarterly (SPQ), and Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation (JEPC) on topics related to the conference. For almost a half-century, students in school psychology have investigated the "Boulder" and "Thayer" conferences, studying and exploring our foundation as scientist-practitioners and brooding over the "school" in school psychology. In a notable alliance, SPR and SPQ are publishing the proceedings of the conference jointly. As part of the School Psychology Futures Conference: Special Journal Issues se- series, Psychology in the Schools will publish a special issue entitled: Shortage of ries, School Psychologists in the April 2004 issue. School psychology quarterly will also be sponsoring a special issue addressing the faculty shortage in school psychology and related difficulties. Consultation emerged as a major thread throughout the School Psychology Futures Conference as participants brainstormed problems and solutions to meet the critical issues faced by school professionals as they work towards improving educational and mental health outcomes for children and families. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Awakening to a New Dawn: Perspectives of the Future of School Psychology.

The Invitational Conference on the Future of School Psychology held at Indiana University in Fall 2002 included a number of paper presentations and group discussions. Toward the end of the conference, four participants were asked to present their reactions, reflecting input from a practitioner, a graduate student in school psychology, a faculty member at a university program educating school psychologists in the United States, and a school psychologist/faculty member at a university from a different country (Greece). The purpose of this article is to share their combined perspectives of the future of school psychology. This article also includes their suggestions for the future direction of school psychology, and encourages all school psychologists to awaken to a change in the field. The article considers the educational and mental health needs of students, and offers a prospectus for the field including (a) data-supported services; (b) group-focused practices; (c) collaboration and partnerships with professionals, families, and schools; and (d) multicultural considerations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

International School Psychology: Psychology's Worldwide Portal to Children and Youth.

International school psychology is discussed in reference to scholarly and professional development within psychology, the emergence of an international association of school psychology, its efforts to promote school psychology, prevailing characteristics of school psychologists, and additional efforts needed to further enhance its development. Nine issues that will help shape the future of international school psychology are also identified. The importance of psychology, including school psychology, in promoting children's needs and rights is underscored. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

What is Basic in Education?: Comment.

Comments on Nathan Kogan's article "Psychology Course in High School" (see record 2005-07923-007.) The author of this comment argues that psychology should be introduced into secondary schools, because he believes it is the basic science of all. If the curriculum were to be filled with basic science, psychology must come first. The author believes that it can be proven factually that psychology is of worth to high school students and should be available to all students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Flunking kindergarten after Head Start: An inquiry into the contribution of contextual and individual variables.

The author examined the extent that nonpromotion to 1st grade after kindergarten can be predicted from information about school and family contexts as well as Head Start children's individual characteristics. The sample comprised 261 Head Start children and parents who were participating in a study on the transition to school. Children who lagged behind their peers on academic achievement and social adjustment indicators were more likely to be in the nonpromoted group. Parental school involvement, parental estimates of children's school adjustment, and parental satisfaction with school programs were predictive of risk for nonpromotion. Head Start children were less likely to be retained in public schools that provided educational as well as family services intended to support the transition to public school. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Tests and assessment.

Reviews the book Tests and Assessment (1985) by Jacqueline Schakel. From its broad title, this book might be classified as a general textbook on assessment for anyone who is learning about testing procedures. Indeed, in the preface, the authors present their book as a text for undergraduate courses on testing in general psychology, and for graduate courses in counseling, vocational, educational, and industrial psychology as well as for "students in counselor education, guidance and counseling, educational administration and other disciplines." Although the book does have some useful general sections on tests and assessment, it is clear that the real audience for this book is less extensive than the authors state. The examples used, tests reviewed, and issues discussed are chiefly for students in personnel and guidance or vocational psychology. If you are such a student or teach assessment courses to students in these programs, read on. Parts of this book may interest you. If you are a school psychologist or teacher of school psychology, you will find this text limited. The overall organization of the book could have been improved by reviewing the theories of person-environment interaction (upon which the authors claim to base their treatment of assessment) before their discussion of specific assessment tools and integrating a discussion of this theoretical basis throughout the book. In summary, this book does not offer the broad treatment of assessment issues and the focus on the kinds of assessment required in schools which are necessary to school psychologists. It provides some useful reviews of tests for guidance and vocational decision making, some concise explanations of assessment concepts, and a well-written section on some specific testing controversies that may be useful to students in the counseling field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evidence-based parent and family interventions in school psychology: A commentary.

Do the authors provide us with convincing evidence that parent and family interventions change children's behavior and learning at school? The answer is not a simple or straightforward one. First off, there appears to be more support for interventions that are part of a multi-component program, that are highly focused in scope, and that entail active collaboration between parents, students, and the schools; hence, more support appears to be available for family/parent consultation and family-school collaboration/partnership programs than for the more unidirectional and limited parent education and parent involvement programs. Second, although 100 studies are examined, it is readily apparent that the studies reported on in the various reviews are characterized by numerous methodological shortcomings that compromise their scientific integrity and the conclusions we can safely draw from them. Third, it is evident that nearly all of the efficacious treatments are behavior or cognitive-behavioral ones. Fourth and finally, it will be important to begin to identify the students, families, and schools that are most likely to benefit from the various interventions and to examine the specific mechanisms of change in each of the proposed interventions. In sum, it seems safe to conclude that evidentiary support for the effectiveness of parent and family interventions in school psychology is mixed at best. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the 50th anniversary of the Thayer Conference.

Presents an introduction to the 50th anniversary of the Thayer Conference. This issue offers an article celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Thayer Conference and three commentaries from individuals at various points in their careers. For decades there has been a great debate over how these and other related conferences have influenced our daily practice in the field of school psychology. Some have even questioned if the Futures conference will result in lasting change. With this as a backdrop we offer these articles. We hope this glimpse of the past, considered in light of our future, will spur you on to action as we work to improve the process of schooling, and the lives of children, youth, and families. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychologist as a behavioral scientist in the business school.

There is now a need for entering faculty personnel in business schools "to apply the behavioral science point of view as integrated members of the business faculty, rather than as distinguished visitors from the psychology department." Recent studies critical of business curricula have stressed the importance of the behavioral sciences in the business school curriculum. The "educational and research experiences leading to the doctorate in industrial psychology" gives the industrial psychologist the opportunity to "fill the role of behavioral scientist in the business school." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relations Among Personal Agency, Motivation, and School Adjustment in Early Adolescence.

The authors examined relations among motivational styles and school adjustment in a sample of 786 7th and 8th grade U.S. students. Specifically, the authors tested the hypothesis that agency beliefs mediate relations between styles of motivational self-regulation (i.e., intrinsic, identified, introjected, and extrinsic) and school adjustment (school grades, school well-being, and positive and negative affect). A structural equation model testing this hypothesis indicated that agency beliefs about one's effort mediate the relations between the styles and positive school adjustment. By contrast, the extrinsic style was not mediated by agency beliefs but reflected adverse low-magnitude direct effects on all of the outcomes except positive affect. Overall, the model strongly predicted school adjustment, and adherence to the identified motivational style was particularly important. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)