Psychology’s Role in Education/Teacher Education Jane Close Conoley University of California Santa Barbara Jane Close Conoley University of California Santa Barbara

The Learners Applied Psychologists Educational Researchers K-12 Teachers Educational Leaders/principals, superintendents Applied Psychologists Educational Researchers K-12 Teachers Educational Leaders/principals, superintendents Higher Education Leaders/community college, deans of students Health, kinesiology, motor behavior Human resource development

Is Psychology Required? Developmental Psychology Tests and measurements/Individual Differences Learning Family and Community Focus Small group behavior/management Diversity Motivation Developmental Psychology Tests and measurements/Individual Differences Learning Family and Community Focus Small group behavior/management Diversity Motivation

Role/Rationale Very often pre-requisite Ubiquitous role, but rarely taught by psychologists Learning, motivation, growth/development, group differences, family/small group behavior Scientific method Very often pre-requisite Ubiquitous role, but rarely taught by psychologists Learning, motivation, growth/development, group differences, family/small group behavior Scientific method

Special Issues University silos Lack of rewards for involvement with teacher education Field based Little prior knowledge and brief encounters during training University silos Lack of rewards for involvement with teacher education Field based Little prior knowledge and brief encounters during training

Opportunities and Barriers Often differing methodological traditions Failure of psychology to translate into the classroom Different departments and theoretical traditions Laboratory for many vital areas Often differing methodological traditions Failure of psychology to translate into the classroom Different departments and theoretical traditions Laboratory for many vital areas

Implications for Psychology New focus on teacher education – but on academic subjects Significant funding available Need to connect to political and regulatory realities of classroom Current shortages of mental health support in schools New focus on teacher education – but on academic subjects Significant funding available Need to connect to political and regulatory realities of classroom Current shortages of mental health support in schools

Preparing for the Future Learning Science – in the academic areas Realistic brain research applications Diversity/cultural competence Professional development for teachers Little purposeful preparation in this area Learning Science – in the academic areas Realistic brain research applications Diversity/cultural competence Professional development for teachers Little purposeful preparation in this area

Role for APA Psychology in Education Interdivisional Coalition Teacher Professional Development Forums that link teacher educators and psychologists, e.g., activity at AERA Psychology in Education Interdivisional Coalition Teacher Professional Development Forums that link teacher educators and psychologists, e.g., activity at AERA