School Pyschology

School psychology is a service offered by specially trained professionals designed to help parents, teachers and schools work together for the benefit of the pupil. Today’s school psychologists are experts in the applications of psychological knowledge and educational practice. They work to solve problems that affect learning to meet the needs of pupils and schools in order to provide the best educational opportunities. School psychological services are available to pupils through local school districts whether they attend public or parochial schools.

While psychologists help students directly, they also help parents and school personnel in efforts to make school more meaningful for all children. School psychologists service students, parents, and schools in several unique ways. Primarily, school psychologists consult with teachers, assess needs, plan programs, and intervene in crisis situations working with individuals, groups, and systems. They also coordinate activities among the school, home and community agencies to identify and remediate children’s learning and social-emotional problems. All of these activities are designed to promote an appropriate child-centered and effective educational experience for all students.

The school psychologist is uniquely prepared to:

• Administer a variety of individual assessments of intellectual ability, academic achievement, personality preferences, social-emotional development, and behaviors abiding by State and Federal requirements and professional ethics.
• Interpret test findings and behavioral data to students, the professional staff, parents, and community service providers.
• Participate with other educational staff in planning programs to appropriately meet the needs of students who are gifted, handicapped, or at risk for educational failures.
• Help school staff members and parents to better understand and manage the child’s behavior and learning, as well as to develop improved conditions for learning.
• Provide emotional support through services designed to help students successfully cope with a variety of stressful situations.
• Support classroom teachers in times of crisis, as well as consult with them about the day-to-day difficulties and successes students are experiencing.