School Psychology – Division 16 of APA

“School psychology is a general practice and health service provider specialty of professional psychology that is concerned with the science and practice of psychology with children, youth, families; learners of all ages; and the schooling process.” (Fagan & Wise, 2007)

One can see the roots of School Psychology as early as 1920 when the need for services in schools began to emerge. Psychologists such as Cattell and Binet pioneered some of the earliest tools and methods that would be later used by school psychologists. School Psychology basically evolved from a community or clinic based treatment model to a school-based and school-linked service delivery model. Whereas the dominant ideology of earlier years was focused more on testing for disabilities, the field has changed over the decades to early intervention for preventing the progression of academic and behavioral problems. (Fagan & Wise, 2007) Fagan, T.K. & Wise, P.S., School Psychology: Past, Present and Future. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists Publications.

 Consult with parents, educators, and other interested parties regarding:  academic, behavioral, cultural, social and emotional assessments and supports that help meet the needs of all students.  appropriate, culturally sensitive comprehensive interventions within schools, other settings.  Intervene by developing instructional and behavioral strategies and methods to improve academic, social-emotional, and vocational outcomes.  Assess children, adolescents and young adults to better understand abilities and areas of concern, including learning and behavioral difficulties, and various disabilities.  Conduct and translate research for practice  Promote social justice and children’s rights across the globe  Collaborate with various professionals to ensure equal opportunities for services to all children, adolescents and young adults

 Minimum Requirement for School-Based Practice: Specialist Level Graduate Degree  Educational Specialist Degree  Masters Degree + Internship  Minimum Requirement for Practice Outside the Schools: Doctoral Degree with Psychology License

 Schools – K-12, preschool, post-secondary  Hospitals and Day Treatment Centers  Community Mental Health  College or University  Organizational Consultants  Private Practice  Research and Product Development  Publishing

Major Organizations for Member Support:  Division 16 of American Psychological Association (APA)  Website:  National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)  Website:  International School Psychology Association (ISPA)  Website: Training Councils  Council of Directors of School Psychology Programs  Trainers of School Psychologists Research Society  Society for the Study of School Psychology

 Division 16 Mission:  Division 16 - School Psychology is composed of scientific-practitioner psychologists whose major professional interests lie with children, families, and the schooling process. The Division represents the interests of psychologists engaged in the delivery of comprehensive psychological services to children, adolescents, and families in schools and other applied settings. The Division is dedicated to facilitating the professional practice of school psychology and actively advocates in domains, such as education and health care reform, which have significant implications for the practice of psychology with children.  Division 16 Executive Committee Initiatives:  Globalization of School Psychology  Social Justice and Child Rights  Translation science to practice and policy  Promoting School Psychology as specialty

 Division 16 Major Goals and Objectives:  Promote and maintain high standards of professional education and training within the specialty, expand appropriate scientific and scholarly knowledge and the pursuit of scientific affairs;  Increase effective and efficient conduct of professional affairs, including the practice of psychology within the schools, among other settings, and collaboration/cooperation with individuals, groups, and organizations in the shared realization of Division objectives;  Support the ethical and social responsibilities of the specialty, to encourage opportunities for the ethnic minority participation in the specialty, and to provide opportunities for professional fellowship; and  Encourage and effect publications, communications, and conferences regarding the activities, interests, and concerns within the specialty on a regional, national, and international basis.

APA, Division 16 - School Psychology website at: National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) at: