Examined predictors of parental alienation in parents of 49 urban midwestern fourth-graders using the Dean Alienation Scale. High levels of alienation were associated with single, unemployed female parents, whose child was a female with few perceived friends. In predicting parental level of alienation, race, achievement, and attendance were not…

This article introduces a mini-series on research methods in school psychology. A conceptual overview of research methods is presented, emphasizing the degree to which each method allows the inference that treatment affects outcome. Experimental and nonexperimental, psychometric, descriptive, and meta-analysis research methods are outlined. (SLD)

Compared the efficacy of two methods of cluster analysis, the unweighted pair-groups method using arithmetic averages (UPGMA) and Ward's method, for students grouped on intelligence, achievement, and social adjustment by both clustering methods. Found UPGMA more efficacious based on output, on cophenetic correlation coefficients generated by each…

Identifies a five-level framework of psychological adjustment specifically for use by school psychologists. The levels range from one of excellent adjustment to severe psychopathology. Guides the school psychologist toward interaction with clients based on a differential scale of adjustment. (Author/KS)

Surveyed 181 experienced elementary and junior high teachers and 189 preservice teachers regarding their perceptions of school psychologists. Results revealed significant differences between preservice and experienced teachers' effectiveness ratings of school psychologists on eight tasks and on ratings of school psychologists' qualifications. (NRB)

Appropriate preservice education is needed to prepare school psychologists for working in rural communities. The scientist-practitioner model is a means to develop the psychologist as a generalist; it integrates research and theory with clinical training and field experience. Indirect services, burnout, and school psychology subspecialties are…

Several conditions are described under which school psychological services can be provided and expanded in rural areas: parent and administrator variables; public relations, training concerns; expanded role; external influences on schools; and use of family systems theory and expert versus referent power concepts. (Author/GDC)

Siblings of handicapped children may have adjustment problems associated with increased family responsibilities, increased parental expectations, and perceived parental neglect in favor of the disabled sibling. Problems may be related to socioeconomic status; family size; age, sex, and birth order of the sibling; and severity of the handicap. (GDC)

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)

Reasons for the increasing emphasis on including an adaptive behavior evaluation when assessing children considered mildly mentally retarded are reviewed. The relationship between measures of adaptive behavior and intellectual ability and the issue of declassification are discussed. The educational relevance of adaptive behavior for nonbiased…

Discusses aspects of first-grade promotion practices, including a study of evaluation criteria used in making retention decisions, an examination of the effectiveness of transition room programs, and the effects of first-grade promotion practices on a program for preventing learning disabilities and academic failure. (JAC)

Placement decision committees (n=10) were given information on 12 referred pupils, half of which included social history information on the pupil and orthogonally half of which were recommended for special education services by an outside psychologist. The results are discussed in terms of information advocacy within the committees. (Author)

An atypical observation of aggressive behavior involving an entire elementary school class is presented, as well as the corrective measures taken. Tentative explanation is offered by means of a hypothesis of a relationship between national affairs and classroom behavior. (Author)

The time for school psychologists to invest concentrated and intensive intervention is when students are very young and still in general education settings. This paper presents suggestions on ways to accomplish this through data collection, design of an intervention, staff training, modifying an intervention, and teamwork. To illustrate the…

A structural equation model was proposed to explore influencing factors that may contribute to school psychologists' role inhibition versus progressive pursuits towards the delivery of child sex abuse services. Three work-related variables (attitude, locus of control, work-setting demands) were examined to assess their impact on the initiatives…