Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) is an education term used to define students enrolled in public schools whose language and culture do not match the dominant culture. Assessing CLD students has been an ongoing challenge in school psychology for decades. Significant disproportionality includes CLD populations, special education…

The sheer amount of time that school psychologists spend conducting assessments, coupled with the shift in the field toward incorporating a socially just lens into practice, elicits the question: What constitutes socially just academic assessments, and what are the related best practices? Considering the complexities related to applying a social…

In the field of cognitive psychology, the "p"-value hypothesis test has established a stranglehold on statistical reporting. This is unfortunate, as the "p"-value provides at best a rough estimate of the evidence that the data provide for the presence of an experimental effect. An alternative and arguably more appropriate measure of evidence is…

A "big idea" is a concept that gives meaning to discrete facts. In this article, the author proposes a small number of big ideas, as well as his own views on where he thinks the field needs to move to achieve its full promise in school-based behavioral and social-emotional assessment. The three big ideas he has selected include: (1) universal…

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 purpose of this article is to propose that a combined response to intervention (RTI)-psychoeducational assessment model be used for expedited evaluations required during disciplinary proceedings [Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, 20 U.S.C. Section 1415(k)(5)(D)(ii)]. An expedited evaluation would determine if the child…

The number of children taking psychotropic medications has dramatically increased in recent years. These children typically take medication during school hours, thereby making the school setting an optimal venue in which evaluate the effectiveness of medications. Given their training in data-based decision making, intervention, and assessment,…

With the growing popularity of a response to intervention model of service delivery, the role of intervention management is becoming more prominent. Although many aspects of intervention management have received significant attention, one area that warrants further development involves feasible methods for monitoring student behavior in a…

This paper introduces a rationale and method for constructing behavioral analytic measures of training program effectiveness that can be adopted by directors of training in diverse settings. The model includes derivation of problematic, on-the-job situations and effective responses from a target sample of trainees and builds an evaluation measure…

Describes a model for school psychologists' private practice appropriate to their unique training and consistent with the professional functions outlined by the American Psychological Association (APA). Examines six functions within the parameter of private practice. Notes potential ethical conflicts. (Author/RC)

Discusses the development of a school psychology practicum via a cooperative arrangement between the University of Southern Mississippi and the Hattiesburg school system. Outlines the wide range of training experiences available in this type of setting and discusses practicum requirements and student evaluation procedures. (Author/DS)

This survey of 120 school psychologist trainers found that (1) there is widespread familiarity with dynamic assessment as a model of cognitive assessment; (2) few trainers are actually using the procedures; (3) most trainers do not mention it in their courses; and (4) trainers see the model's primary asset as its focus on learning processes rather…

A conceptual model for school-based personality assessment, methods to integrate behavioral and projective assessment procedures, and issues surrounding the use of projective tests are presented. Ways to maximize the personality assessment process for use in placement and programing decisions are suggested. (Author/DWH)

This publication reviews issues and processes in the quest for less-biased, least-biased, non-biased assessment. It is intended to aid the school psychologist in assisting all individuals in placement or program decisions for school-age children. The first section articulates the common sources of bias in assessment and identifies concepts…

The goal of this workshop for school psychologists is to provide high quality training in best practices for instructional evaluation. An objective of these trainings is to facilitate the implementation of the instructional evaluation requirement of the Special Education Regulations and Standards for determining eligibility for special education…