Surveyed national sample of 151 school psychologists. Results revealed discrepancies between preparation and job responsibilities. Respondents indicated that they had received limited training in reading, that 77 percent of referrals involved reading problems, that they made reading recommendations but felt they lacked expertise, and that they…

Surveyed 362 school psychologists concerning involvement in vocational practice. Results indicated that between 30 and 40 percent of respondents reported some involvement in vocational assessment, vocational counseling, and consultation with vocational education teachers, while only 12 percent indicated involvement with vocational program or…

Primary prevention interventions used to reduce the incidence of new cases of a disorder occurring in the general population are discussed, as are the means by which such services can be provided in schools. Examples of the types of programs that can be implemented are provided. (SLD)

Vocational interest assessment for handicapped students is discussed, and 10 popular vocational interest inventories for handicapped and non-handicapped individuals are reviewed. Recommendations for the use of interest inventories by school psychologists are made. Issues relating to the selection and interpretation of interest inventories are…

Diagnostic procedures commonly employed by school psychologists have been shown to be not only of limited validity for diagnostic purposes, but also of questionable relevance to intervention. Educational resources should be devoted to refining teacher-based systems of referral and diagnosis. Appropriate roles for the school psychologist are…

Reports on a study which compared serials use by and serials use behavior of psychologists at the University of Illinois, Urban Champaign (UIUC), to published national rankings and an earlier study at UIUC. It is concluded that locally collected data, citation analysis, and qualitative and quantitative analyses are all needed for collection…

Explored similarities between psychosocial environments of consultee-centered consultation groups and task-oriented, social-recreational, and psychotherapy/mutual support groups as measured by the Group Environmental Scale (GES). Findings from 180 student teachers involved in consultee-centered mental health consultation groups revealed that GES…

Makes linkage between violent incidents and more general school safety. Contends that, when school violence concerns are reframed to develop resiliency in youth to help them cope with stresses of violence, school psychologists will have much to offer. (Author/NB)

Conducted national consumer survey of preschool psychologists (n=185) regarding treatment and social validity of early intelligence tests for preschoolers with developmental deficits (n=7,223). Results demonstrated that early intelligence tests failed to be acceptable tools 43% of time and failed to document eligibility of over 3,000 young…

Definitions of effective instructional leadership inadequately address supervision and strategic deployment of student support personnel (counselors, psychologists, social workers, and others) as critical resources for school success. Engaging their skills and understanding expands professional discourse, improves teaching and learning, and…

Relates opportunities for consulting psychologists to work with specific population within university setting. Describes consulting relationships between counseling psychologist, academic advising office for student-athletes, and athletic department at University of Notre Dame; and outlines possibilities for consultation with student-athletes in…

Medical, social, law enforcement, legal, and mental health professionals (n=579) indicated what components they included in their interviews of sexual abuse victims and their parents. Results suggest some professional bias in interview components and the need for more than one interview for a thorough evaluation. A more interdisciplinary approach…

National education reforms are producing dramatic changes, unlike comprehensive national health care legislation, which has not gained passage. Many groups are promoting schools as health services delivery sites. The challenges faced by psychologists as these two reform movements converge in the schools are explored. (SLD)

Considers the empirical validity of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) as a predictor of performance in a graduate psychology program. Data for 167 graduate psychology students suggest that the GRE is predictive for first-year grades but not other kinds of performance, with the exception that male performance on the GRE Analytical test was…

The realities of the 21st century dictate increased teamwork among all human services professionals. The burgeoning inclusive education movement can be a vehicle for unifying counseling and psychological services. Effective collaboration requires the negotiation of administrative, professional, and personal barriers; power, influence, and…