The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Social Justice Committee's annual theme is "Supporting SOGD Youth: Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity." This is the first article in a two-part series reviewing key terminology and ways to support and advocate for youth with SOGD identities, with a focus on sexual and…

Developing special issues or special topic sections for peer-reviewed journals is one way in which school psychologists can contribute to their field's research base. Special issues are designed to advance scholarship in a particular area and are guest edited by individuals, other than the journal's editor in chief (EIC), who have expertise in…

A school psychologist with a traditional role may fill their days with assessments, consultation, prevention work, and mental health supports. They are also have an extremely important role as crisis response leaders when schools are impacted by some type of acute traumatic experience. Such events have the potential to significantly impact the…

Intervention fidelity is the extent to which an individual- or systems-level student intervention is delivered comprehensively in a manner aligned with the initial plan. This first installment in a three-part series on intervention fidelity highlights the importance of ensuring classroom supports are implemented as intended and introduces…

Within classrooms and school settings, school psychologists are positioned to make significant impact through providing education and advocacy around the practices that support equity-centered, trauma-informed care. This article explores how school psychologists and other school-based professionals can advocate for youth who have been exposed to…

In 2011, National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) launched its first online self-assessment tool to help school psychologists evaluate their own practices across the 10 domains outlined in the "Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services," also referred to as the NASP Practice Model. Since NASP…

This article summarizes Allen and Roberts's (2024) study on school psychologists' practices and perceptions regarding manifestation determination reviews (MDRs). It emphasizes the critical role of MDRs in protecting the rights of students with disabilities and highlights the challenges faced by school psychologists in this high-stakes process.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, 62.1 million people identify as Hispanic/ Latiné in the United States. Of the 49.6 million students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in fall 2022, 14.4 million students identified as Hispanic (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2024a). Factors such as poverty, health issues, and…

Forcibly displaced youth (FDY) are young people who have resettled in the United States as refugees, asylees, or asylum seekers. FDY access schools almost immediately upon their arrival, which creates an opportunity to address social-emotional needs while providing instruction in the English language and academic content (Fazel et al., 2016; Tyrer…

There is no question that the heart and soul of a professional association resides in the demonstration and nurturance of leadership. The work of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is guided by five strategic goals, which provide the foundation for NASP's strategic plan, adopted by the Leadership Assembly in September 2017.…

School psychologists in Baltimore (MD) City Public Schools are engaged in efforts to expand their professional roles from a traditional to a more comprehensive model. In Baltimore, school psychologists had been in the traditional role as a special education-specific gatekeeper and service provider. Starting in 2013, a group of school…

School psychologists sometimes are called upon as a witness in a special education due process hearing. Without over-legalizing the role and responsibilities of the school psychologist, providing concise and organized attention to this topic not only reduces the discomforting symptoms of the fear/flight reaction but also contributes to more…

Some of the most crucial components of concussion recovery are determining when a student incurs an injury, when to return the student to school, in what capacity the student returns, and what adjustments are needed in the process. It is important for school professionals to understand the signs and symptoms of a concussion so they may apply…

School psychologists are typically focused on students who are struggling academically or behaviorally. What about students who are highly successful and achieving beyond their grade placement? This article provides general guidelines for school psychologists, educators, and parents when conversations regarding acceleration decisions arise. First,…

Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease is on the rise. School psychologists must understand the significant physical, emotional, and psychological effects of this condition to be effective advocates for students and their families, and to conduct well-informed, comprehensive evaluations for this population. This article discusses the academic,…