What do School Psychologists do?

School psychologists tailor their services to the particular needs of each child and each situation. They use many different approaches, but most provide the following core services:

Special Education Assessment

School psychologists use a variety of techniques at systems, group, and individual levels to evaluate:

• academic skills
• learning aptitudes
• personality, behavior & emotional development
• social skills
• learning environments and school climate
• eligibility for special education services

Consultation

• provide effective alternatives to teachers, parents and administrators about problems in learning and behavior
• help others understand child development and how it affects learning and behavior
• strengthen working relationships between educators, parents, and community services

Intervention

• help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment
• provide psychological counseling for children and families
• provide social skills training, behavior management, and other strategies

Prevention

• identify potential learning difficulties
• design programs for children at risk of failure
• provide parents and teachers with the skills to cope with disruptive behavior
• develop school-wide initiatives to make schools safer and more effective

Education

• teaching and learning strategies
• classroom management techniques
• working with students who have disabilities or unusual talents
• substance abuse
• crisis management

Research & Planning

• evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management systems, and other services
• generate new knowledge about behavior and learning
• contribute to planning and evaluating school-wide reform and restructuring

Health Care Provision

• develop partnerships with parents and teachers to create healthy school environments
• work with children and families to provide integrated community services focusing on psychosocial wellness and health-related issues