ABSTRACT: Multiple issues that impact service delivery, such as changing student demographic characteristics, educational law and policy, and an increased focus on accountability for services, require school psychologists to adapt and acquire new professional skills in order to meet the needs of students and families. Continuing professional development (CPD) could help school psychologists expand their repertoire of professional skills so that they can engage in effective service delivery. The present study examined the CPD subject areas endorsed by practicing school psychologists and the relationship of those areas with selected demographic characteristics, professional practices, and employment conditions. Secondary analyses were performed using the existing 2004-2005 National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) national database. The total sample size included the responses from 1,155 practitioners. Descriptive analyses revealed that the most commonly endorsed CPD subject areas were behavioral interventions and standardized psychoeducational assessment. Logistic regression analyses indicated that selected demographic characteristic variables helped to predict participation in academic interventions and consultation/problem-solving CPD subject areas. However, no one demographic characteristic variable made a significant unique contribution to either model. Selected professional practice variables helped to predict participation in standardized psychoeducational assessment, social/emotional interventions, consultation/problem-solving, and response to intervention CPD subject areas. School psychologists who engaged in non-traditional CPD subject areas (i.e., social/emotional interventions, consultation/problem-solving, and response to intervention) were less likely to engage in professional practices related to special education (i.e., initial evaluations). Selected employment condition variables helped to predict participation in academic screening/progress monitoring and social/emotional interventions CPD subject areas. School psychologists who reported lower ratios were more likely to participate in social/emotional interventions CPD as compared to those who reported higher ratios. A statistically significant association was found between region and participation in academic screening/progress monitoring, behavioral assessment, social/emotional assessment, social/emotional intervention, response to intervention, and crisis intervention CPD. Implications of the findings are discussed within the context of previous research. Suggestions are offered for areas of future study related to the CPD activities of school psychologists.

ABSTRACT: The field of school psychology has grown tremendously within the past 100 years, and legislation has played a major role in many changes related to the field. A review of the literature revealed that many studies have been conducted that explored demographic information, professional practices, and employment conditions. The studies tend to be somewhat narrow in focus (e.g., one study may look at demographic characteristics, while another considers only professional practices) and consider state differences rather than regional differences. In accordance with a policy established by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) that a study be conducted every five years, Graden and Curtis (1991) surveyed school psychologists who were members of the NASP for the purpose of developing a national database that reflected the demographic characteristics, employment conditions, and professional practices for the field during the 1989-1990 school year. Members of the NASP have been surveyed relative to the same information every five years since that initial study. The fourth national NASP study was initiated in June of 2005 using data based on the 2004-2005 school year. The database was created using survey data. The present study represented a secondary analysis of the database for the purpose of examining regional differences across the nine U.S. census regions. Regional differences in demographic characteristics, professional practices related to special education, direct and indirect services to students, and employment conditions were analyzed utilizing chi-square analyses and analyses of variance. When significant relationships were found, follow up t-tests were conducted to identify regions between which differences existed. Results indicated statistically significant regional differences for highest degree earned, licensure that allowed for independent practice in non-school settings, the number of re-evaluations conducted, the percentage of ethnic minority students in the district and served, the ratio of students to school psychologists for the district and based on caseloads, the number of days in respondents' contracts, salaries, and percentage of respondents who received clinical supervision.

Designed as a research-based yet matter-of-fact guide for beginning and future scientist-practitioners, A Practical Guide to Building Professional Competencies in School Psychology skillfully augments the reader’s training, supervision, and experience by providing a framework for honing essential skills in the field. This reader-friendly, evidence-based text encourages the continuing development of expertise in communication and collaborative skills, diversity awareness, technical knowledge, and other domains critical to building and maintaining an ethical, meaningful practice. Each chapter in this must-have volume examines a core area of expertise in depth, and provides checklists (linked to competencies set out in NASP’s Blueprint III) and the Development and Enhancement of Competencies Assessment Form are included to enable readers to gain a more complete understanding of their professional strengths and needs. The skill sets covered include: Developing cross-cultural competencies. Evaluating students with emotional and behavioral problems. Assessing student skills using a variety of approaches. Preventing and intervening in crisis situations. Consulting with families, colleagues, and the community. Facilitating mental health services in the school setting. A Practical Guide to Building Professional Competencies in School Psychology provides an invaluable set of professional development tools for new practitioners and graduate students in school psychology.

This book has been replaced by School Psychology for the 21st Century, Third Edition, ISBN 978-1-4625-4953-5.

Published with the sponsorship of the Trainers of School Psychologists, this two volume handbook examines the essential tenets of the school psychology profession, critically reviews training and practice issues, and evaluates how the traditional and changing skills and issues translate into meeting the needs of children and the systems that serve them. Volume I focuses on the professional issues and topics that form the core of the university curriculum for the school psychology specialist degree. It explores contemporary university training programs, the foundations of school education, and key areas of responsibility for school-based mental health professionals, and takes a look at the future of training for school psychologists. Specific issues such as the teaching of specialty skills and training for unique areas and special populations are also discussed. By way of raising questions and issues that ultimately play out in the field, it lays the groundwork for Volume II, which is dedicated to bridging the training and practice gap.

A leading introductory text, this authoritative volume comprehensively describes the school psychologist's role in promoting positive academic, behavioral, and emotional outcomes for all students. The book emphasizes a problem-solving-based, data-driven ?approach to practice in today's diverse schools. It grounds the reader in the concepts and tools needed to become a competent, ethical practitioner; implement and evaluate multi-tiered interventions; and facilitate systems-level change. Useful pedagogical features include illustrative vignettes and end-of-chapter discussion questions and activities. ? New to This Edition *Incorporates up-to-date research findings and professional standards. *Expanded coverage of response to intervention, cultural and linguistic diversity issues, and evidence-based practice in mental health. *Chapter on legal issues includes expanded coverage of IDEIA and other recent federal mandates.

Published with the sponsorship of the Trainers of School Psychologists, this two volume handbook examines the essential tenets of the school psychology profession, critically reviews training and practice issues, and evaluates how traditional and changing skills and issues translate into meeting the needs of children and the systems that serve them. Volume II extends the discussion of the training of school psychologists from Volume I to an examination of issues critical to the practice of school psychology, focusing on the roles of the supervisor as trainer in different contexts. Each chapter raises issues for university training in a manner that facilitates the dialogue between university and field trainers. This volume also considers issues of professional development, credentialing, and developing a professional identity, topics that predominate in practice settings yet are typically not addressed in any school psychology text. It concludes by offering recommendations on how the collaboration between university and field-based education can be further improved in the future to anticipate and meet the needs of the next generation of professionals and the children in their care.