NASP - Who Are School Psychologists?

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NASP=20 Home > About = School=20 Psychology > What Is a School=20 Psychologist?

Who Are School Psychologists?

Click=20 here to download or order a free copy of the brochure "What Is = a=20 School Psychologist?". (NASP members can log in to access NASP's=20 Powerpoint presentation on "School Psychology: A Career That Makes = a=20 Difference.")

School psychologists help children and youth succeed = academically,=20 socially, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, = parents, and=20 other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive = learning=20 environments for all students that strengthen connections between = home and=20 school.

School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology and=20 education. They must complete a minimum of a Specialist-level = degree=20 program (60 graduate semester credits) that includes a 1200-hour=20 internship and emphasizes preparation in the following: data-based = decision making, consultation and collaboration, effective = instruction,=20 child development, student diversity and development, school = organization,=20 prevention, intervention, mental health, learning styles, = behavior,=20 research, and program evaluation.

School psychologists must be certified and/or licensed by the = state in=20 which they work. They also may be nationally certified by the = National=20 School Psychology Certification Board (NSPCB).

What School Psychologists Do

School psychologists work to find the best solution for each = student=20 and situation; they use different strategies to address student = needs and=20 to improve school and district-wide support systems.

School psychologists work with students individually and in = groups.=20 They also develop programs to train teachers and parents about = effective=20 teaching and learning strategies, techniques to manage behavior at = home=20 and in the classroom, working with students with disabilities or = with=20 special talents, addressing abuse of drugs and other substances, = and=20 preventing and managing crises.

In addition, most school psychologists provide the following=20 services.

Consultation

Collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to = find=20 effective solutions to learning and behavior problems.
Help others understand child development and how it affects = learning=20 and behavior.
Strengthen working relationships between teachers, parents, = and=20 service providers in the community.

Evaluation

Evaluate eligibility for special services.
Assess academic skills and aptitude for learning.
Determine social-emotional development and mental health = status.
Evaluate learning environments.

Intervention

Provide psychological counseling to help resolve = interpersonal or=20 family problems that interfere with school performance.
Work directly with children and their families to help = resolve=20 problems in adjustment and learning.
Provide training in social skills and anger management.=20
Help families and schools manage crises such as death, = illness, or=20 community trauma.

Prevention

Design programs for children at risk of failing at school.
Promote tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of = diversity=20 within the school community.
Develop programs to make schools safer and more effective = learning=20 environments.
Collaborate with school staff and community agencies to = provide=20 services directed at improving psychological and physical = health.
Develop partnerships with parents and teachers to promote = healthy=20 school environments.

Research and Planning

Evaluate the effectiveness of academic and behavior = management=20 programs.
Identify and implement programs and strategies to improve = schools.
Use evidence-based research to develop and/or recommend = effective=20 interventions.

Where School Psychologists Work

The majority of school psychologists work in schools. However, = they can=20 practice in a variety of settings including:=20

Public and private school systems
School-based health centers
Clinics and hospitals
Private practice
Universities
Community and state agencies, and other = institutions

Growing Up Is Not Easy

All children and adolescents face problems from time to time. = They may:=20

Feel afraid to go to school
Have difficulty organizing their time efficiently
Lack effective study skills
Fall behind in their school work
Lack self-discipline
Worry about family matters such as divorce and death
Feel depressed or anxious
Experiment with drugs and alcohol
Think about suicide
Worry about their sexuality
Face difficult situations, such as applying to college, = getting a=20 job, or quitting school
Question their aptitudes and abilities

School psychologists help children, parents, teachers, and = members of=20 the community understand and resolve these concerns. The following = situations demonstrate how school psychologists may typically = approach=20 problems.=20

Family Problems=20

The teacher noticed that Carla, an able student, had stopped=20 participating in class discussions and had difficulty paying = attention.=20 The school psychologist was asked to explore why Carla=E2=80=99s = behavior had=20 changed so much. After discovering that Carla=E2=80=99s parents = were divorcing,=20 the school psychologist provided counseling for Carla and gave her = parents=20 suggestions for this difficult time. Carla=E2=80=99s behavior and = self-esteem=20 improved, and she felt more secure about her relationship with her = parents.=20

School psychologists can be trusted to help with delicate = personal=20 and family situations that interfere with schooling.=20

Reading Problems=20

Tommy=E2=80=99s parents were concerned about his difficulty in = reading. They=20 feared that he would fall behind and lose confidence in himself. = In school=20 the teacher noticed that Tommy understood what was presented in = verbal=20 form, but that he needed the help of his classmates to do written = work.=20 After observing Tommy and gathering information about his reading = and=20 writing skills, the school psychologist collaborated with his = parents and=20 teachers to develop a plan to improve his reading and writing. The = plan=20 worked, and both Tommy=E2=80=99s reading and his self-esteem = improved.=20

School psychologists can help prevent future problems when = they=20 intervene with learning problems early on.=20

A Potential Dropout=20

David was a high school student who often skipped class. He had = very=20 poor behavior and had been suspended from school on various = occasions for=20 fighting. After establishing a relationship with David, the school = psychologist taught him simple techniques to relax and to control = his=20 aggressive behavior. David=E2=80=99s mother and his teacher worked = together on a=20 plan designed by the school psychologist to establish limits and = to=20 improve communication.=20

School psychologists recognize that changes in the school=20 environment and at home can improve the quality of life for = children and=20 their families.

Resource

The National Association of School Psychologists:
Suite = 402, 4340=20 East West Highway,
Bethesda, MD 20814;
(301) 657-0270; =
http://www.nasponline.org/

NASP represents and supports school psychology through = leadership to=20 enhance the mental health and educational competence of all = children.

This handout was developed by Arlene Silva, University of = Maryland=20 school psychology graduate student intern at the NASP office = (summer=20 2003), with contributions from NASP staff and leadership.

National Association of School Psychologists, 4340 East West Highway, = Suite=20 402, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 657-0270 |=20 Toll Free: (866) 331-NASP | Fax: (301) = 657-0275 | TTY: (301) 657-4155

Site=20 Map | Copyright | FAQs = | Contact=20 Us