DESCRIPTION:
Today’s children face more challenges than ever before. School psychologists help children meet these challenges through their specialized training in both psychology and education. They use their training and skills to team with educators, parents and other mental health professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. School psychologists understand school systems, effective teaching and the ingredients for successful learning.
DEFINITION:
School psychologists tailor their services to the particular needs of each child and each situation. School psychologists use many different approaches and may play many different roles, but most provide these core services:
- Give healthy and effective alternatives to teachers, parents, and administrators about problems in learning and behavior
- Help others understand child development and how it affects learning and behavior
- Strengthen working relationships between educators, parents and community services
Assessment
Use a variety of techniques at an individual, group, and systems level to evaluate:
- Academic skills and learning aptitudes
- Personality and emotional development
- Social skills
- Learning environments and school climate
- Eligibility for special services
Intervention
- Work face-to-face with children and families
- Help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment
- Provide psychological counseling for children and families
- Provide social skills training, behavior management, and other strategies
- Help families and schools deal with crises such as death, illness or community trauma
Prevention
- Identify potential learning difficulties
- Design programs for children at risk of academic failure
- Provide parents and teachers with the skills to cope with disruptive behavior
- Help foster tolerance, understanding and appreciation of diversity in the school community
- Develop school-wide initiatives to make schools safer and more effective
Education
Develop programs on topics such as:
- Teaching and learning strategies
- Classroom management techniques
- Working with students who have disabilities or unusual talents
- Substance abuse
- Crisis management
Research and Planning
- Evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management systems and other services
- Generate new knowledge about learning and behavior
- Contribute to planning and evaluating school-wide reform and district-wide policies
Health Care Provision
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Collaborate with school and community-based personnel to provide a comprehensive model of school-linked health services
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Work with children and families to provide integrated community services focusing on psychosocial wellness and health-related issues
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Develop partnerships with parents and teachers to create healthy school environments