In this data brief, we examine the scores and pass rates for the Praxis School Psychologist tests (both Praxis 5402 and the newer version, Praxis 5403) by racial-ethnic group and gender for the period September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023. The Praxis School Psychologist tests are the most often used external assessment of competency by school…

A national sample of 246 Directors of Pupil Personnel Services and Directors of Special Education were surveyed to assess the importance they place on training, degrees, and credentials in the hiring of school psychologists. High, but varying, levels of importance were found for the content knowledge and skill areas in the National Association of…

Little empirical evidence is available on the professional characteristics and practices of school psychologists in Portugal. This study surveyed a total of 477 Portuguese school psychologists employed in public (80%) and private schools (20%). Portuguese school psychologists are described with regard to demographic, professional, and educational…

This study investigated school psychologists' continuing professional development (CPD) activities, topics, needs, motivations, financial expenditures, and opinions, as well as relationships between select demographic characteristics and certain CPD practices and preferences. A survey was mailed to 1,000 randomly selected Regular Members of…

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is celebrating its 40th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential. NASP was founded on March 15, 1969 during a national planning conference in St. Louis. In this article, the author provides a brief overview of the NASP.

On March 6, 2009, the APA Model Licensure Act Task Force released its second draft of the policy document known as the proposed "Model Act for State Licensure of Psychologists". This policy document serves as guidance to state legislatures for how they should set up their psychology licensing laws. The general expectations promoted in the model…

On March 28, 2008 West Virginia's governor signed into law House Bill 4117 that provides salary stipends to school psychologists and school nurses who are nationally certified. This accomplishment was largely due to 2 years of work undertaken by three dedicated persons in West Virginia: school psychologists Sarah Kendall and Terry Thorn and school…

To achieve full professional maturity, counselors must begin the process of self-study and assess the direction and leadership that is developing within the profession. The acceptance and success of counseling in educational settings may depend on the degree to which counselors are change-oriented, team-oriented, and outcome-oriented. (Author)

New licensing laws (e.g. Ohio's 1972 enactment which closely follows the APA'sr psychologists and school psychologists) are described. Implications for the counseling profession are examined and recommendations for action offered (independent proposal of legislation by counselor associations, test cases,etc.). (EAK)

The Georgia Department of Education initiated a statewide effort to establish standards and procedures for certification of educational personnel based on competency demonstration. A project was commissioned to develop a performance-based system for the certification of school counselors. This article presents the premises, procedures, and…

This article takes a look into the future regarding counselor recertification. The authors discuss some of the complications of the recertification process and propose some techniques for evaluating pupil personnel workers. (HMV)

The paper reviews initiatives the South Carolina Department of Education has undertaken in the area of school psychology, particularly as it pertains to evaluating and placing handicapped children. Two brief introductory sections cover the role, function, and certification of school psychologists and national approaches toward the delineation of…

This search cites three kinds of resources: (1) those that describe what has been done or is being done in the area of counselor licensure and certification, (2) those that provide information that can be used in drafting licensure and certification legislation, and (3) those that describe what related professionals have accomplished in this area.…

Performance-based certification for educational professionals has been stimulated by demand for accountability and educational reform. This article suggests simulated situations and situational response testing as a viable means of contrasting individuals across a number of criteria variables in realistic settings. (Author)