Three areas related to decision making are discussed: (1) a research survey summary of multidisciplinary team decision making (MTD); (2) four approaches for structuring MTD decision making; and (3) styles of leadership as a factor that impacts on the decision-making teams. (Author/PN)

Attitudes of 168 practitioners (pediatricians, psychologists, special educators, allied health professionals, and social workers) toward mental retardation were compared. Results showed that pediatricians were significantly more pessimistic about the ultimate abilities of mentally retarded adults than psychologists and educators. (Author/SEW)

A congressman discusses adverse effects of Federal policy and budget cuts on social programs for children, holds that children's lack of political visibility means that their interests are not always protected, and examines the role of psychologists and the Congressional Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families in promoting child welfare.…

Provides a rationale for obtaining evaluative feedback concerning the perceived usefulness of school psychological reports and their impact on the development of individual educational plans. Research data and authoritative opinion support the need for feedback on a case-by-case basis. A working copy of a brief evaluation form is included. (Author)

Cites references in school psychology literature and describes a comprehensive paraprofessional training/supervisory model utilizing secondary level students and incorporating 12 paraprofessional involvement areas as part of a high school psychological services delivery system. Notes individual client data and program evaluation portray student…

An historical perspective on the development of interest in children's psychological rights is presented. Changing concepts of childhood, children's rights movements, and declarations of children's rights, as proposed by the United Nations, the 1970 White House Conference on Children, and the International School Psychology Committee, are…

The author expresses some notions about school psychology and how it impinges upon his world, emphasizing that no profession can exist meaningfully today outside the context of public policy or afford to be indifferent to this fact. Some precepts are offered regarding better public policy relating to school psychology. (GK)

Three perspectives are developed in this reaction paper (see TM 506 171): (1) to make bold predictions of our future society and formulate needs that will be generated for school (2) to examine current assessment practices with specific focus on minority populations; and (3) an elaboration of the second perspective. (Author/GK)

Surveyed field experiences in school psychology programs at the doctoral and nondoctoral levels. Three program levels (Masters, Advanced Graduate Status, and Doctoral) were compared on the field-based component of training. Programs at all levels introduced field experiences the first year and continued to offer them throughout training.…

School psychologists can become involved in providing service for children's reading problems in four areas: assessment, direct behavior intervention, teacher consultation, and parent consultation. The school psychologist can be a "knowledge-linker" who occupies a strategic position to integrate recent research into practice. (Author/BW)

A limited national sample of 49 school psychologists and 30 regular education teachers provided information on assessment procedures for the purpose of instructional planning. Results showed some indications of agreement between school psychologists and teachers, but also several inconsistencies in the views of the two groups. (Author/RC)

Describes a model of two alternative roles for the school psychologist working with programs for autistic or emotionally disturbed children. The first concerns behavior management by consultation or direct work with the child. The second approach adds the role of program coordinator. A team approach is advocated. (Author/JAC)

Results of a survey completed by 716 persons about the location and salary levels of jobs in the learning disabilities (LD) field are presented. Two further charts delineate mean income by role and geographic area and mean income for LD teachers and administrators. (CL)

An examination of Orton's early hypothesis of inconsistent cerebral dominance for linguistically disabled children in light of some 50 years of research is provided. Although a hypothesis based on data from nonintrusive measures of functional asymmetry with learning impaired children is postulated, caution in this area is suggested. (Author/AL)

Rapid growth in the psychological professional has brought an attempt to make the doctoral degree the minimal credential for entry to independent practice. Examination of the characteristics of doctoral and nondoctoral training programs in school psychology suggests that each type of program has points in its favor. (Author)