The author was favorably impressed with the breadth, scope, and quality of the articles in this issue that dealt with the various aspects and correlates of social behavioral functioning as well as assessment and intervention considerations. Each of these articles dealt with a unique aspect of social behavioral functioning in children and youth and…

A "big idea" is a concept that gives meaning to discrete facts. In this article, the author proposes a small number of big ideas, as well as his own views on where he thinks the field needs to move to achieve its full promise in school-based behavioral and social-emotional assessment. The three big ideas he has selected include: (1) universal…

In the last several decades, investigators have made remarkable strides in developing and evaluating school-based prevention and intervention strategies for elementary school-age youth focused on the development of healthy social, emotional, and behavioral skills. Although there has been rigorous examination of the efficacy of some of these…

Computers, no matter how magnificent their potential, are useless without programs. Programs vary widely in quality and usability. This article presents practical guidelines and cautions regarding selection and evaluation of software prior to purchase. School psychologists are cautioned to define their needs first. (Author/BS)

Evaluates three approaches to dynamic assessment of intelligence in terms of their ability to address both classification and remediation functions of assessment in schools. Argues that relative to traditional intelligence tests, dynamic approaches have failed to provide evidence of satisfactory technical characteristics, such as reliability and…

This special series focused on treatment integrity in the child mental health and education field is timely. The articles do a laudable job of reviewing (a) the current status of treatment integrity research and measurement, (b) existing conceptual models of treatment integrity, and (c) the limitations of prior research. Overall, this thoughtful…

Notes that regression discontinuity designs offer tool to evaluate effects of programs on individuals in cases where selection into program is based on continuous variables; program outcomes may be meaningfully measured; and it is not possible to assign candidates randomly to program/no program conditions. Procedures for conducting regression…

Direct observation is the hallmark example of broader behavior assessment. As such, it involves a systematic process in which behaviors, settings, and their reciprocal relationship are studied. As a process, behavior assessment relies on multiple methods and repeated measurement. Each component in the behavior assessment battery makes a unique…

In this issue of "School Psychology Review," various authors devoted their articles to provide information on the comorbidities and trajectories of different subgroups of bullies and victims. These studies provide a clear direction for future research in this burgeoning field. In this article, the author provide his views on these studies. He…

Reviews formal and informal reading achievement and diagnostic tests, evaluating them to see how they measure reading and spelling abilities within the framework of component-view of reading. Discusses recent attempts to develop alternate assessments. Concludes that school psychologists and reading specialists should be familiar with these…

A critical review of nine articles featured in a School Psychology Review issue devoted to the theme of reading assessment and intervention revealed that the data were essentially accurate and consistent with reading education principles. However, the conclusion that varying reading positions did not receive equal representation is discussed.…

The concept of treatment integrity cuts across a diversity of fields involved with providing treatments or interventions to individuals. In medical treatments, the concept of "treatment compliance" or "treatment adherence" is an important and problematic issue. In the field of nutrition, the concept of "dietary adherence" is important for…

Research in assessment and intervention with developmentally disabled children has led to important advances in recent years. This article identifies conceptual and practical issues important to the process of behavioral assessment, and presents a framework for the behavioral assessment of the developmentally disabled, with special emphasis on…

Focuses on assessment of emotions and irrational beliefs in Rational-Emotive Therapy with school-aged children. Argues that, for children to understand and agree to process of disputing irrational beliefs, practitioner first assesses individual child's emotional vocabulary, his/her understanding of relationship between disturbed emotion and…

This is a reaction paper to TM 506 168. The author sees school psychology as offering crucial insights to the educational system. In addition, some degree of self-perspective along with a conceptual framework is necessary to further school psychology while avoiding fads. (Author/GK)