The unique uses of computers in training school psychologists are reviewed, including their potential role in simulated and actual assessment, case disposition, report formulation, record keeping, and research. The microcomputer as "teaching assistant" offers new opportunities for training to become competency-based. (Author)

This article discusses the crisis-coping model of school psychology practice, the problems brought about by this model, and the advantages of a preventive approach. It then describes the Barclay Classroom Assessment System, a multi-trait, multi-method assessment procedure that utilizes rating technology and computer synthesis to implement a…

The study investigated levels of agreement among graduate students (n=14) and school psychologists (n=18) in scoring drawings for the 10 designs on the WPPSI Geometric Design subtest. Considerable scoring disagreement occurred within each group. Results suggest careful study of the WPPSI scoring criteria is needed to achieve scoring proficiency.…

Using a published review of 1965 as a comparison point, this article presents an opinion on the evolution of the school psychologist as a behavior therapist. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between professionalism and public policy, particularly as relevant to the ethics inherent in the use of behavior modification. (Author)

The education of the learning disabled child is seen to involve a number of disciplines and professionals which include the school psychologist, the speech and language clinician, the remedial reading specialist, and the learning disabilities specialist. Available from: EC 082 990. (SBH)

This study attempted to develop psychometric properties of the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale (SOCCS), an instrument used to assess the awareness, skills, and knowledge of counselors working with the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) population. A sample of 287 undergraduates, master-level and doctoral-level students, and counseling…

No longer is it appropriate to explain school failure by stating that some children are too disadvantaged to succeed. Schools must find a way to meet the needs of all children and strategies in which school psychologists, working in collaboration with educators and school administrators, can meet these needs are discussed in this paper. It is…

This document reviews how schools and providers of school-based mental health programs have implemented managed care contracts with Medicaid managed care organizations. Observations were made at three sites (Albuquerque, NM; Baltimore, MD; New London, CT) where school-based mental health services were provided by Medicaid organizations. Following…

Many gifted and talented children are often misdiagnosed by psychologists and other health professionals as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Disorder (OD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), or another of the mood disorders. The misdiagnosis can stem from mistaken assumptions being made about the social and…

There is a powerful religious commitment among people in America; nearly 92% of the population is affiliated with a specific religion. This report presents findings from a 2-year study of the attitudes and experiences of clergy regarding substance abuse and the training they received in schools of theology or in seminaries. Too often clergy and…

Participants at a conference on mental health in schools highlighted the following policy initiatives as a sampling of current activity that could benefit efforts to enhance mental health in schools: (1) new interagency programs for safe schools and healthy students that link the resources of several federal agencies; (2) an enhanced focus on…

Article constitutes a chapter from a forthcoming book of the same name. Father and son counseling team discuss specific means of overcoming middle class biases relating to black high school and college youth in need of counseling services. (DM)

Surveyed 45 state departments of education to identify professional groups that are providing psychological services in the schools. Results showed 59 percent of the states mandate services of school psychologists by law. A variety of allied professional groups also provide psychological services. (Author/JAC)

Current research data provide only weak support for the continued use of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). It is argued that MDTs have not had a fair chance to be implemented and that the complexity of organizational changes needed for MDTs to function effectively have been overlooked by team members and administrators. (Author/PN)

Describes characteristics, employment setting, and professional practices of health service-provider psychologists. Discusses their current status in psychology, the distribution of health care practitioners, patterns of specialization in service delivery, and populations being served by these practitioners. (Author/MJL)