Practice Guidelines in school psychology: Issues and directions for evidence-based interventions in practice and training

Practice Guidelines have become increasingly popular at the national and international level. Practice Guidelines are a natural extension of the “evidence-based intervention” movement, and could be a mechanism to promote the use of evidence-based interventions within the field of school psychology practice and training. In this paper we review the use of Practice Guidelines in other fields and the promise and potential pitfalls associated with the development and application of Practice Guidelines within the field of school psychology. Recommendations for how to avert some of the difficulties faced by other disciplines in the development and application of Practice Guidelines are discussed. Suggestions for next steps in the profession and future research are noted.     

Applied sport psychology: Issues and challenges

Abstract

Achieving superior sport performance is often the result of well developed psychological skills (Morris &; Thomas, 1995). However, little is known about psychological skill development in athletes with disabilities (Hanrahan, 1998). The purpose of the present paper is to help sport psychologists in their work with athletes with physical disabilities. Although there are many similarities among athletes with and without disabilities, sport psychologists would benefit from an awareness of information unique to athletes with disabilities (Asken, 1991). I use a broad interpretation of psychological skills based on a holistic perspective and a personal development model (Vealey, 1988). Information is presented in the three areas of foundation, psychological, and facilitative skills, methods, and factors.     

Systems analysis and school psychology

Traditionally the activities of professionals supplying mental health services to schools have been guided by a medical model which stressed intrapsychic dysfunction. This model is contrasted with an ecological orientation utilizing a systems approach for preventing or alleviating problems. The case history method is used to demonstrate how school psychologists actually perform within this model and to illustrate some of the general characteristics of the ecological approach; it also demonstrates how teacher consultation, family therapy, and student role-playing are organized into a meaningful and unified strategy directed at helping a child in trouble.     

Politics and school psychology: A case study

School psychology is one of several professions in education which offer services beyond the regular school curriculum and program. Psychologists who work in school systems have long recognized the need to cooperate with these other professionals in school settings. In addition, they have been aware of the pressures from parents, teachers, and community groups which can impinge upon their jobs. However, limited availability of funding, federally mandated services, and legislation regarding certification are rapidly placing local, state, and national politics into prominance for school psychologists. An example is provided using the Commonwealth of Kentucky.     

Judgment theory and school psychology

This article reviews criticism of research on judgmental biases in cognitive psychology and suggests caution in applying the findings of this research to research in school psychology. Additionally, it provides suggestions regarding the potential of theory in cognitive psychology to reconcile discrepant findings in selected research on special education decision making.     

High school psychology revisited: Student performance in a college-level psychology course

There were no differences in achievement in a college-level general psychology course between students who had completed a high school psychology course and those students who had not completed a high school psychology course. The results are discussed in terms of the content, quality, and objectives of high school psychology courses. The discussion includes a consideration of the role of school psychologists in high-school-level psychology courses. Future trends in the teaching of psychology at the secondary and university level are reviewed.     

Special education litigation and school psychology

When constitutional or statutory rights of exceptional children were violated, litigation was implemented as one means to obtain those rights. Legislative and administrative actions were exhausted before the issue was brought to the courts. The procedure of litigation was first initiated in 1967, and several landmark cases since then have provided prototypes for subsequent cases which concerned the rights of handicapped children. As a result of the gross injustice that existed in the education and treatment of handicapped children, there were over thirty lawsuits filed on their behalf. Education and treatment of the handicapped child, long viewed as a charitable endeavor, must now be considered as an inalienable right not to be denied to the “special” citizen. Although the courts have been forced to decide upon some of the critical issues regarding exceptional children, the implementation will be more effective and efficient if the education profession itself assumes the responsibility. This overview of significant litigation points up the evidence presented in the lawsuits which should be of concern to the practice of school psychology.     

Cluster analysis in school psychology: An example

This investigation demonstrates the use of Ward's method of cluster analysis to uncover the underlying classification structure in a group of children (N = 200) referred for psychological evaluations by their public school teachers. Data were acquired on children's intellectual development, academic achievement, and social adjustment. The cluster solution identifies six groups of children which are statistically distinct. All three measurement areas are important in distinguishing among the different groups. The six-group solution accounted for appreciable amounts (95%) of the variability in the three measurement areas. Implications for psychologists working in the schools are discussed.     

Experiences of school psychology interns in psychology internship centers

In the development of psychology internship centers, we must not overlook what is happening to interns from different specialty backgrounds. This article describes centers that accept school psychology students, and examines the nature of the experiences that such students receive as interns. The author suggests implications for school psychology and the broader development of the internship in professional psychology.     

Graduate training in school psychology

A survey was conducted in spring of 1975 to elicit factual information concerning organizational characteristics and training emphases of the school psychology training programs in the United States and Canada. Ninety-nine training institutions responded. The result indicated a rapid growth of graduate education programs in school psychology in the past 10 years. Faculty shortage constituted a major problem in many training institutions. Overall, the school psychology programs placed strongest emphases on assessment, consultation, and other active intervention techniques in their training content. Significant differences in training emphases were found between doctoral and subdoctoral programs.     

Children's rights and school psychology: Children's right to participation

The Convention on the Rights of the Child detailed an international imperative to fulfilling, protecting, and respecting the rights of every child. In particular, the Convention set out a clear mandate for guaranteeing opportunities for children to be heard on all matters of concern to them. The attainment of these goals involves respecting and valuing children as active participants in the educational process. If fully implemented, the right of children to express views and have them taken seriously, throughout the school environment, would represent one of the most profound transformations in moving towards a culture of respect for children's rights, for their dignity and citizenship, and for their capacities to contribute significantly towards their own well-being. These values and principles are consistent with those of the school psychology profession, thus, school psychologists are encouraged to be at the Center of the process advocating and actualizing the Convention in schools throughout the world.     

Humanisation and education: Issues for school reform

The humanisation of education is one of the three leitmotifs in a recent Soviet planning document A Conception of General Education. It is suggested that Western education systems also need to be humanised, although not so radically as the Soviet, by the removal of obstacles to educating pupils as members of a liberal democratic society. A future joint research agenda between East and West should concentrate on (a) improving mutual understanding of this goal, (b) clarifying conceptual obstacles, and (c) reflecting on means of realising it. Specific proposals are put forward under all three headings.Invited paper presented at International Conference on Philosophy of Education organised by U.S.S.R. Academy of Pedagogical Sciences, Gagra, Georgia, October 12–22, 1990.