School psychology

School psychology is a field of psychology that focuses on the science and practice of psychology with children, youth, families; learners of all ages; and the schooling process. The basic education and training of school psychologists prepares them to provide a range of psychological diagnosis, assessment, intervention, prevention, health promotion, and program development and evaluation services with a special focus on the developmental processes of children and youth within the context of schools, families and other systems. School psychologists are educated in psychology, child and adolescent development, child and adolescent psychopathology, education, family and parenting practices, learning theories, and personality theories. They are knowledgeable about effective instruction and effective schools. They are trained to carry out psychological testing and psychoeducational assessment, counseling, and consultation, and in the ethical, legal and administrative codes of their profession.

History

The field of school psychology emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily in response to a new societal need for psychological services in public schools. This was due to a variety of factors, including the introduction of compulsory school attendance laws, the recognition of the need for specialized services for students with disabilities, and the growing awareness of the importance of early childhood education.

Roles and Functions

School psychologists work with individual students and groups of students to deal with behavioral problems, academic difficulties, disabilities, and other issues. They also work with teachers and parents to develop techniques to deal with home and classroom behavior. Other roles they fulfill include training students, parents, and teachers about how to manage crisis situations and teaching students about substance abuse prevention.

Training and Certification

In the United States, the training of school psychologists includes a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours, an internship, and a passing score on the Praxis II School Psychology Examination. In addition, most states require a full year of internship experience in school psychology and a passing score on a comprehensive exam such as the National School Psychology Examination.

See Also

• Educational psychology
• Clinical psychology
• Counseling psychology