This article reviews trends in mental retardation research and training as it applies to the school psychologist. The evolution of the field is briefly discussed followed by a discussion of selected areas of education and training. Current trends are analyzed, and future developments likely to occur are discussed. (Author/LMO)

Surveyed national sample of elementary and secondary school psychologists regarding recent referrals. Found that most referrals were initiated by school staff and majority occurred initially through formal mechanisms. Poor academic performance was of primary concern in 52% of cases, social/emotional problems in 31%. More boys than girls were…

Describes an innovative interdisciplinary program for hospital care and followup of premature infants at the University of Florida involving psychologists, counselors, and educators. Notes this growing population of surviving neonates has a high risk of developmental disability, which can be reduced by developmental intervention. (Author)

An analysis of a survey of assessment practices of 131 school psychologists revealed that they most often used the Wechsler Scales to identify gifted, gifted/learning disabled, and learning disabled students despite the availability of newly developed tests. A number of training needs relating to assessment were also identified. (Author/VW)

Presents a special series of seven articles dealing with biopsychosocial oncology, the role of psychology in cancer treatment. Includes an introduction by Lizette Peterson and articles by Thomas Burish and Michael Carey, Susan Jay et al., Shelley Taylor et al., David Cella and Susan Tross, Gerald Koocher, and Leonard Derogatis. (KS)

A consultation-collaboration intervention model in which a school psychologist and a regular classroom teacher worked jointly to establish a remedial reading program resulted in marked increases in reading skills and levels of independent reading for five primary school students with reading problems. (Author/CB)

Extends the available information base on intellectural aging by collecting self-report data from 100 psychologists between 45 and 64 years of age. Subjects rated changes in intellectual functions, related present changes with past expectations, and answered questions about health problems affecting intellectual functioning. The importance of…

Although formal assessment of children with severe disabilities raises many problems of measurement, evaluation by "standard rulers" is still essential. This article examines the role of the school psychologist in the measurement process and identifies issues related to the assessment of developmentally disabled children. (Author/EGS)

Reviews the status of school psychology in Australia. Information is presented on the education system, the role of the school psychologist, historical development, special problems, contributions, and future trends in Australian school psychology. (Author)

Describes the process by which two school psychologists changed roles from providers of direct services to high school students to providers of indirect services to teachers. Four phases followed in the change to a consultation role are described. Implications for training of school psychologists in consultation are discussed. (NRB)

School psychologists and education students and faculty were asked to distinguish between computer-generated and individually written psychological test comments and indicate cues used in making identifications. Even though results indicate correct identification did not differ significantly from chance, school assessment reports must provide more…

Behavioral and cognitive behavioral stress management interventions aimed at school-related stress for students and teachers are reviewed. Schools may be sources of stress because they provide a context in which performance and relationship demands are made. School psychological services may promote the emotional and physical health of…

Examines social trends in the past two decades (particularly the growth of a service economy and the increasing reliance on specialized knowledge), the opportunities these trends have presented to psychology, and the discipline's response. (CMG)

A questionnaire completed by school psychologists indicated ethical and legal dilemmas involved in evaluation, decision making, and placement of students under P.L. 94-142. These conflicts arose from budgetary restraints and professional disagreements. The dilemmas are discussed and possible preventive measures are suggested. (DWH)

Compared differences in the report-writing skills of 14 doctoral and 13 nondoctoral school psychologists. The reports were categorized according to the referral problem and rated by a panel of educators. The results indicated no significant differences between the ratings of the doctoral and nondoctoral school psychologists' reports. (JAC)