A study of the language proficiency assessment practices of 859 school psychologists, when working with bilingual or limited English proficient students, found that 62 percent of school psychologists conducted their own assessments and most often used the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised or the Test de Vocabulario en Imagenes Peabody.…

Elaborates the concept of "keystone target variable selection" for school psychological practice. "Keystone variables" refers to relatively narrow targets for change having the most widespread benefits to clients. The hypothesized benefits of selecting keystone targets for change include more effective and efficient interventions. (KW)

Outlines a four-year partnership with a school district in which a unique prereferral intervention approach was developed. Difficult-to-teach students outperformed students in control groups and district personnel seemed to embrace the program. However, school personnel did not continue to use the approach; the article explores why this happened.…

Describes a survey of psychology department chairpersons at private four-year undergraduate colleges with enrollments between 200 and 2500, concerning the nature and impact of activities that psychologists perform for professional advancement. Implications for employment in a small college and teacher burnout in that environment are discussed. (KO)

Constructed 25-item Attitudes toward Rape Victims Scale (ARVS) which emphasized victim blame, credibility, deservingness, denigration, and trivialization. Results from administration of ARVS to university students, social workers, psychologists, physicians, lawyers, and police officers in Singapore, and to university students in the United States…

Reviews sources of indirect evidence supporting the value of graduate training in psychotherapy. Discusses training protocols that are known to enhance trainees' skills and summarizes a meta-analysis of therapy outcome studies involving within-study comparisons of psychotherapists of different levels of training and experience. Other research is…

Contends that, to become a better critical thinker, one must not only develop expert thinking skills, but also become an expert at choosing the best skills for the particular situation. Reports on a study of critical thinking and metacognition among 65 college students. (CFR)

Study assessed the current status of prereferral practices in Michigan. Directors of special education responded to surveys addressing issues such as whether prereferral intervention was required and so forth. Results indicated that most districts encourage prereferral practices and that academic and behavior management strategies are equally…

A brief review of the history of health psychology reveals that many key developments in the field reflect essentially feminist principals. Feminist concerns for inclusiveness and equity influence national health policies in the following areas: (1) violence; (2) acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and (3) policy and planning. (SLD)

Describes five school crises. In each case example, errors in crisis management by school staff exacerbated the crisis and resulted in deleterious consequences for the school, its students, and the surrounding community. Identifies common themes of leadership, teamwork, and responsibility that are critical to successful crisis management.…

Examines current educational reforms and their influences against a backdrop of historical change in education. Suggests future directions of school psychology and proposes a renewed emphasis on science. Assessment is reexamined with a focus on empirically based intervention and a systematic evaluation of outcomes. Discusses the implications and…

Examined feasibility of using observation, interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, checklists, essay writing, drawing, ranking, activities mapping, and participatory rural appraisal with disadvantaged children. Feedback was provided by children from a capacity-building program on child-centered research, psychologists, and program trainees.…

Examines the patterns of individual adjustment changes in a sample of 99 early adolescents during an ecological transition from elementary school to middle school. Shows significant changes in adjustment as indicated by increased psychological distress or decreased academic achievement. Examines gender differences. Presents implications for…

The use of mathematical models in the experimental analysis of behavior has increased over the years, and they offer several advantages. Mathematical models require theorists to be precise and unambiguous, often allowing comparisons of competing theories that sound similar when stated in words. Sometimes different mathematical models may make…

The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with an orientation to the concepts and principles of autonomy and self-determination and the application of those concepts and principles to working with children and adolescents who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), including autism. Self-determination is essentially…