Panel Discussion: From Chaos Come Resolutions Student Perspective Gena N. Ehrhardt Indiana State University Student Affiliates in School Psychology

On-Site Student Participants 5 female students 5 female students Ethnicity Ethnicity 2 African American 2 African American 1 Hispanic/Caucasian 1 Hispanic/Caucasian 2 Caucasian 2 Caucasian All participants had experience in schools prior to entering their training programs. All participants had experience in schools prior to entering their training programs.

Acceptance as Participants All students felt that they were equal contributors to their group discussions. All students felt that they were equal contributors to their group discussions. This was a forum where questions could be asked that might not have been in any other arena. This was a forum where questions could be asked that might not have been in any other arena. Students were optimistic that more student involvement will occur in a future conference. Students were optimistic that more student involvement will occur in a future conference. This was an ideal situation where students could learn about what is going on in other programs and school districts. This was an ideal situation where students could learn about what is going on in other programs and school districts. The authors of textbooks are real people. The authors of textbooks are real people. People were accessible and approachable. People were accessible and approachable.

Surprised Reactions What is taught in training programs is not what is done in schools. What is taught in training programs is not what is done in schools. Thought that more time was spent on consultation, counseling, FBA, and intervention-based practices Thought that more time was spent on consultation, counseling, FBA, and intervention-based practices We say that we need to take a leadership role in schools, but the textbooks already say that we do. We say that we need to take a leadership role in schools, but the textbooks already say that we do. The percentage of students graduating from training programs is not keeping up with the rate of professionals retiring in the field. The percentage of students graduating from training programs is not keeping up with the rate of professionals retiring in the field.

Cultural Issues The majority of the children in special education are ethnic minorities, but the majority of the school psychologists are ethnic majorities. The majority of the children in special education are ethnic minorities, but the majority of the school psychologists are ethnic majorities. Does the education of ethnic students in training programs adequately meet their needs? Does the education of ethnic students in training programs adequately meet their needs? Do we appreciate cultural differences? Do we appreciate cultural differences?

How can you know that a difference exists if you didn’t know it exists?

Foreseeable Results New directions and implications for future training. New directions and implications for future training. Programs with fewer course requirements will be challenged in adequately meeting the training needs for future school psychologists. Programs with fewer course requirements will be challenged in adequately meeting the training needs for future school psychologists. Practitioners, professors, and professional organizations may begin mentoring and providing a support system for ethnic students and professionals. Practitioners, professors, and professional organizations may begin mentoring and providing a support system for ethnic students and professionals. Theories can be integrated into a setting where they can be applied. Theories can be integrated into a setting where they can be applied. New perspectives on abilities and differences can be emphasized to maximize learning and affirm students for who they are as contributing members of society. New perspectives on abilities and differences can be emphasized to maximize learning and affirm students for who they are as contributing members of society.

“I’m excited about the future!” “When I leave conferences, I think I should…now I think I want to.” Virginia Smith Harvey