Consultation was formally introduced in school settings during the 1960s, with the first systematic review of the school consultation literature occurring roughly 40 years ago. The scrutiny that consultants placed on school consultation practice has led educators to identify different consultation models and delivery mediums, and assess the extent…

Despite widespread implementation of multitiered systems of support for behavior (MTSS-B), evidence of racial discipline disproportionality persists. We argue MTSS-B must prioritize racial equity and healing in schools. We first discuss how discipline has centered Whiteness, providing a brief history of relevant events and sociopolitical forces…

Peer bullying occurs frequently among middle school youth, negatively impacting students and the broader school climate. However, during these years there is a gap in translating empirically supported prevention science into school-based practices. This paper describes how the evidence-based Free2B bullying prevention multimedia assembly was…

Behavioral consultation has been shown to be an effective way for school psychologists to work with teachers in implementing interventions for student problem behavior. Some teachers are resistant to the behavioral consultation process and thereby fail to implement agreed upon interventions with integrity, which is problematic considering the…

School psychology research focused on child outcomes is critical for understanding which social and behavioral interventions affect children in schools. Yet effective interventions fulfill their promise when they fit their implementation contexts, are implemented well with existing resources, and can be sustained or scaled up to new populations.…

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…

The author appreciates the invitation to comment on the article by Reinke, Lewis-Palmer, and Merrell (2008) examining the Classroom Check-Up (CCU). Their work illustrates how far school psychology has come over the past decade in developing more sophisticated intervention practices. The opening section of this commentary will highlight the…

An expanded conception of behavioral consultation is presented, which includes explicit and ongoing attention to teacher variables as well as student behaviors. A conceptual framework is presented for systematic assessment of consultee knowledge, skills, cognition, and effect. Strategies for enhancing consultee functioning in each area are…

Causal explanations offered by the client, consultee, and consultant in a typical unsuccessful consultation are explored in the context of attribution theory and research. Biased attributions are discussed in terms of a cognitive-perceptual framework rather than the traditional motivation-based "defensiveness" framework. (Author/PN)

Systematic contracting which involves students, parents, and teachers negotiating common issues is a time-limited cognitive-behavioral intervention that has the potential to maximize psychologists' impact upon schools. (BW)

Divorce and separation affect how children behave and learn in school. School psychologists can help children and parents cope with the feelings and the effects of divorce. Relevant issues in developing and implementing programs are considered. (Author/RL)

Information is presented to familiarize school psychologists with (1) behavioral effects and side-effects associated with stimulant medications used for the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); (2) factors to consider in recommending medicine trials for individual children; (3) methods to assess treatment response within schools; and…

Functional behavior assessment (FBA) incorporating a functional analysis is emerging as an effective model used to assess classroom behavior problems. However, conducting an FBA in a classroom presents challenges for school psychologists such as determining which environmental variables to evaluate in the assessment. Because teacher attention is…

Questions concerning identifying and treating Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are addressed, including whether ADHD is a handicapping condition, and what guidelines should be used for determining the need for educational services. A psychoeducational paradigm is presented to help school psychologists design effective programs for…

Recent advances related to the achievement and school behavior in children with tic syndromes, seizure disorders, and minor physical anomolies are discussed. The role of the school psychologist as liaison between the pupil's teacher, family, and physician is described, as well as his or her role with the children themselves. (Author/EGS)