The purpose of this article was to historically review the field of school psychology for the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the Division of School Psychology (DSP) of the APA. Past and present proactive school psychology was evaluated and recommendations for the future were offered in light of historic APA DSP goals. Since its inception, the…

In July 2016, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued two documents to clarify and provide guidance on Federal obligations of school districts to students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) under Section 504. This action was in response to numerous complaints (approximately 2,000 over 5 years)…

As school psychologists, educators and parents most often approach us with questions relating to a concern. We have the privilege of serving students in their natural learning environment where skills and behaviors can be observed and analyzed, where interventions can be created and tested, and, hopefully, where a positive change can be made…

This article reports on a case that resulted in a published court decision which illustrates a dilemma at the intersection of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). On first impression, the finding that teachers were operating based on professional principle seems to validate their actions.…

Across the country, there are a growing number of students with and without disabilities who are being suspended or expelled from their regularly assigned or zoned schools. There are three primary purposes to this two-part article series. The first purpose is to increase awareness of special education law-focused on the least restrictive…

Medical technology continues to improve, increasing life expectancies and capabilities of children with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Pediatric health issues have an impact on children's academic, emotional, behavioral, and social functioning. This article reviews a consultative Biopsychoeducational Model, based on a problem-solving process,…

The authors support role changes for educational practitioners who work with children and youth with disabilities as they make important transitions. Principles from critical pedagogy and disability studies are summarized to provide a new theoretical framework to support role changes. Rather than needs-based services that focus on helping those…

The author considers ways in which psychologists can participate in special education for children with special needs. The psychologist's role is seen to include consultation on individual cases and technical advice on curriculum and educational practices. (CL)

The changing role of the school psychologist in light of societal changes, changes in the profession, and the needs of handicapped children is discussed. Such professional dilemmas as the conflict between requirements for mundane assessment tasks and meaningful psychological practice are considered. Relationships of the school psychologist with…

Briefly reviewed is the historical perspective of school psychology, demographic information on the numbers of school psychologists, and services to special education, including underused roles in inservice education and research and evaluation. (DB)

A review of the literature and a detailed analysis of five specific studies on placement team functioning is presented. Among findings are a strong positive relation between staff role and participation (school psychologists were ranked highest on both variables while regular education teachers were ranked lowest) and a very powerful set of role…

The study investigated the use by school psychologists of procedures for nondiscriminatory assessment of handicapped students. Ss were surveyed via the School Psychologists' Use of Nondiscriminatory Assessment (SPUN). Results indicated that Ss never used most of the techniques during evaluation described in SPUN. Further, Ss indicated they they…

A brief history of vocational school psychology is followed by descriptions of direct services (such as individual and group assessment and counseling) and indirect services (such as inservice education, public relations, and grant writing assistance). Areas of collaboration among school psychologists and other members of career development team…

The current status of graduate training in school psychology in the United States is briefly reviewed with emphasis on accreditation, certification, training models, special education training, and diversification of program content. (DB)

The article focuses on how the role of school psychologists is being influenced by litigation and legislation and how school psychology is reevaluating its professional standards and ethics. (DB)