Student absenteeism is a prevailing issue for schools, impacting academic performance and social-emotional development. This article explores the definitions, rates, and causes of absenteeism. Through analysis of existing literature, it proposes a comprehensive approach to address the problem. Drawing on concepts of trauma-informed education and…

With appropriate education and early intervention, children who have had traumatic experiences can realize a lower level of long-term negative health and behavioral effects.

The term "child find" refers to a district's ongoing obligation to evaluate upon reason to suspect a child may meet IDEA eligibility standards. This obligation consists of two components: a reasonable suspicion of eligibility and initiating the evaluation within a reasonable period of time. Because child find is a procedural matter, it…

A student's ability to participate effectively within a classroom environment is dependent on a multitude of factors. However, two such factors, sensory processing and self-regulation skills, are often not well understood by teachers due to limited training and education on these topics. Current research indicates that teachers report managing…

Targeted school-based programs seem to be a promising approach to help adolescents in need. Nevertheless, successful implementation and evaluation of such programs is challenging. However, there is limited knowledge about (overcoming) the challenges of implementation and experimental evaluation of school-based programs. The goal of the present…

One successful approach for proactively reducing problem behavior is the use of a multitiered system of supports (MTSS). MTSS is usually comprised of three tiers, with an increasing intensity of support at each tier to meet student needs. Tier 1 includes preventive strategies staff implement with all students. Typically, Tier 2 behavioral…

Purpose: Written and spoken language abilities are closely connected, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can play important roles in the development of children's word reading. However, SLPs may have less knowledge about word reading assessment and intervention than they do about oral language. Therefore, in this tutorial, we describe the…

Background: People with severe to profound intellectual disabilities experience similar or higher levels of depression than those with more mild intellectual disabilities. Yet, there is an absence of evidence about how to adapt existing psychological therapies for this population. Method: A behavioural activation intervention (BeatIt) for people…

Now in a revised and updated third edition reflecting a decade of changes in the field, this leading text prepares new practitioners to support all students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional success. The multiple roles and functions of the school psychologist are described and illustrated with vivid vignettes. Readers gain vital skills…

The growing number of English Learners (ELs) in American schools has led to increasing referrals of these students for special education, including speech-language services. These ELs are frequently overidentified as having a language impairment (LI) due to biased assessment practices that are not legal or grounded in research promoting best…

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a popular multi-tier approach used in education in the United States to identify and support students with specific learning needs in general education. English Language Learners (ELLs), students for whom English is not the "native" language, pose an important challenge for optimally effective practice…

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework was established as a comprehensive, equitable approach for addressing urban students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. Still, confusion surrounded its implementation. On returning to in-person instruction, urban educators have been challenged to…

The articles in the current special issue advance the literature on Tier 2 in the crucial area of discussing adaptations to existing Tier 2 interventions to enhance positive student outcomes. Adaptation is common practice in school settings. Thus, setting up recommendations, or embedding guiding principles for how to successfully adapt Tier 2…

Educational neuroscience approaches have helped to elucidate the brain basis of Reading Disability (RD) and of reading intervention response; however, there is often limited translation of this knowledge to the broader scientific and educational communities. Moreover, this work is traditionally lab-based, and thus the underlying theories and…

School psychologists are well served to stay up to date on trends in special education law, particularly with respect to determinations when school teams' decisions are challenged. This allows them to focus on proactive best practices that foster accurate specific learning disability (SLD) identification and active collaboration with parents. This…