Recent years have brought important changes to the profession of school psychology, influenced by larger social, scientific, and political trends. These trends include the emergence of children's rights agenda and advances in children's well-being measurement. During these years, a growing public attention and commitment to the notion of…

This study is a content analysis of a random selection of 20% (N = 1,168) of articles from "School Psychology Quarterly", "Psychology in the Schools", the "Journal of School Psychology", and "School Psychology Review". Across the four journals, 27% of the articles had a positive focus, and the percentage of articles focused on the positive has…

Surveyed 142 rural school psychologists asking them to describe the advantages of practicing school psychology in rural school settings. Three main clusters of responses emerged including close contact and good working relationships with teachers, administrators, and parents; role diversity and autonomy; and positive environmental context. (JAC)

Based upon review of literature regarding burnout among helping professions, discusses organizational, interpersonal, and intrapersonal conditions that may create or exacerbate problems of burnout among school psychologists. Presents suggestions for coping with burnout in school settings. Underscores need for research agenda related to burnout…

School psychologists (n=139) completed survey that included Maslach Burnout Inventory; stress inventory; demographic questions; and questions designed to assess job satisfaction, ideal caseloads, and intent to leave the profession. Results suggest that symptoms of burnout occur frequently, particularly feelings of emotional exhaustion and reduced…

Surveyed national sample of school psychologists (n=173) serving secondary schools. Results revealed that many respondents were providing wide variety of services, including direct (counseling) and indirect (consultation) services. Approximately 75% reported satisfaction with their work. Job satisfaction was related to increased time spent in…

Investigated the nature and extent of Illinois school psychologists' networking activities and the relationship between such activities and job satisfaction. The results suggest that Illinois school psychologists are satisfied overall with their jobs and spend a considerable amount of time engaging in networking and leadership activities involving…

Psychologists (N=56) participated in an adapted version of Algozzine and Ysseldyke's (1981) diagnostic simulation to investigate the effects of sociocultural background (rural vs. suburban) and assessment data (normal vs. learning disabled) on educational decisions. Findings suggest school psychologists utilize multiple sources of information but…

The effects of specific vs. nonspecific referral information and test data on school psychologists' decisions were investigated. Eighty-two psychologists reviewed a hypothetical case study and made psychoeducational decisions. Knowledge of a teacher's reasons for referral did not influence expectations or placement decisions, but test data on…

The article discusses conditions in rural school settings which may create or exacerbate problems of burnout among rural school pyschologists. Specifically, problems concerning role and function, professional support, visibility, and preservice training are related to rural practice. Also, suggestions for coping with stress and burnout in rural…

In a survey of 169 rural school psychologists, the major barrier to effective educational assessment was perceived to be inadequate special education program options. Other perceived barriers were inadequate adaptive behavior measures, inadequate time for evaluations, and bias shown toward a child based on knowledge of other family members. (JHZ)

Investigates the prevalence and antecedents of burnout in a large sample of school psychologists from North Carolina. Approximately 40% of school psychologists reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, 10% reported depersonalization reactions, and 19% reported a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. Results suggest personality variables…

The influence of a student's background and setting upon school psychologists' diagnostic and program decisions was investigated. Results indicated that psychologists' decisions were not influenced by a student's background, school setting, or the psychologist's work setting. Findings suggested that school psychologists are not biased by these…

Fifty-six school psychologists reviewed a hypothetical case study designed to investigate their interpretations of different norm-referenced test scores. Subjects were more likely to recommend special education programs for normal students when percentile scores were used. School psychologists need to become more familiar with the properties of…

Investigated the correlates of burnout in a national sample of 234 school psychologists using a stress questionnaire, demographic information sheet, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Indicated that burnout was related to demographic, environmental, and professional activity variables. Discusses implications for school psychology and future…