In this article, we explore how school psychologists who adopt a talent development perspective can play a larger role in cultivating the talent of academically gifted students. Utilizing the talent development megamodel and Ackerman's model of expertise, we outline how school psychologists can consult with school administrators, teachers, and…

From its inception as a disability category in the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, serving students under the special education category Emotional Disturbance (ED) has been a challenging task for school psychologists. In particular, the vague and ambiguous federal definition has created an environment in which inconsistent assessment…

School psychologists increasingly are called on to assess academic, behavioral, and social functioning of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), as well as advocate for and assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based instructional strategies across a wide variety of education contexts. In this study, we…

This study surveyed a national sample of school psychologists with respect to the identification of reading disabilities (RD). It covers school psychologists' opinions regarding perceived benefits of the use of cognitive assessment in RD identification, both within and outside of an IQ-achievement discrepancy model. The survey also solicited…

Reports on survey sent to school psychologist in one Southwestern state about their assessment and intervention practices with second-language learners. Analysis of returned surveys revealed that a number of school psychologists are using alternative assessment techniques, such as curriculum-based measurement, dynamic assessment, and portfolio…

Examines the diagnostic utility of subtest variability for identifying students with learning disabilities (LD) by surveying students (n=2,200) in a normative sample and students (n=684) identified as LD. Results indicated that LD students did not differ from normative sample students at levels above chance. Concludes that deviation of individual…

The purpose of the study was to establish developmental norms for maternal-rated problem behaviors within a disadvantaged group of preschool children. The data are discussed in terms of their utility in assisting the school psychologist to select appropriate intervention strategies for the preschool child. (Author)

Used four-subtest short form of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised to develop efficient, simultaneous screening/assessment procedure for identifying gifted students for special programs. Estimated statistical relationship between subtest and full-test scores using test score data from 203 students. Found subtest score of 52 both…

Military-style residential treatment for adolescents with academic and conduct problems is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional school-based services. However, dropout from "boot camp" programs is a primary reason for their high cost. Social-emotional functioning before referral may differentiate adolescents who…

Investigates validity of the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) measuring characteristics of individuals with autism, and the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Rating Scale (PDDRS) measuring pervasive developmental disorders. Results showed both instruments significantly discriminated between participants with autistic disorder and children with…

Recent scientific advances in early literacy assessment have provided schools with access to critical information about students' foundational beginning reading skills. In this article, we describe how assessment of early literacy skills can help school psychologists promote beginning reading success for all children. First, we identify key skills…