The Role of the School Psychologist

School Psychologists are persons trained to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children, adolescents, teachers, families, and community service professionals. Training emphasizes preparation in mental health, consultation, child development, assessment, learning and motivation.

The school psychologist functions with broad areas of responsibility to consult, educate, research, assess and intervene on behalf of the children with whom they work. The school psychologist provides services that meet the unique needs of the population being served. Services that School Psychologists are able to provide may depend upon student population, school size, proximity of schools, number and types of at-risk and special education programs and the number of other qualified specialists available. Specific services provided are based on a collaborative effort among parents, school personnel, and the School Psychologist.

All School Psychologists are certified by the Maryland State Department of Education. The minimum educational requirements for this certificate include:

Minimum of 60 semester graduate hours
Internship of one year
Preparation in mental health, consultation, child and adolescent development, assessment, learning and motivation
Must receive 75 additional hours of training every three years in order to maintain Nationally Certified School Psychologist certificate.

Within the consultation model, the school psychologist works collaboratively with parents, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to positively influence the learning of all students. Collaboration can occur utilizing the following formats:

Collaborate with others about learning, social and behavior problems
Collaborate with others to develop individualized behavior management and instructional strategies
Strengthen working relationships between educators, parents, and community to maintain a safe environment conducive to learning
Evaluate the effectiveness of select programs and services provided in the school setting
Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS)

School psychologists support the entire school community by providing the latest information that effects the cognitive, behavioral, and educational well-being of all students. Furthermore, school psychologists utilize a variety of formats in conveying this information to parents, school personnel, and the community at large. In the role of educator, a school psychologist may offer the following:

training to school personnel in the proper use of classroom management strategies
information regarding: learning and information processing, emotional disorders, and behavioral difficulties
training to parents regarding behavior management techniques
information regarding legislative mandates that effect education

School psychologists utilize a variety of assessment tools and techniques in order to best determine a student's intellectual or emotional functioning. These include:

Individual psychological evaluations which may assess cognitive, developmental needs, or social/emotional functioning
Behavior observations
Assessment of learning profiles needs
Parent and/or teachers interviews
Participation in assessment of IEP progress

School psychologists are skilled in the implementation of intervention strategies which can be designed to enhance educational performance as well as developmentally appropriate behavior. The following interventions may be offered by the school psychologist:

Provision of assistance to families and students
Help with solving conflicts and problems related to learning and adjustment
Work done directly with students and families
Counseling, social skills training, behavior management and other interventions