School Psychologists

School psychologists:

• Provide direct support, assessment, monitoring and numerous interventions (i.e., mental health, behavioral, academic) to students.
• Consult and collaborate with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies and crisis management responses
• Work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices, policies and program evaluation through an ethical and legal lens
• Collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services.

Through their efforts, they help schools successfully:

• Improve Academic Achievement
  • Promote student motivation and engagement
  • Conduct psychological and academic assessments
  • Individualize instruction and interventions
  • Manage student and classroom behavior
  • Monitor student progress
  • Collect and interpret student and classroom data
     
• Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health
  • Improve students communication and social skills
  • Assess student emotional and behavioral needs
  • Provide individual and group counseling
  • Promote problem-solving, anger management and conflict resolution
  • Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience
  • Promote positive peer relationships and social problem-solving
  • Make referrals to and help coordinate community services provided in schools
     
• Support Diverse Learners
  • Assess diverse learning needs
  • Provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds
  • Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities
  • Modify and adapt curricula and instruction
  • Adjust classroom facilities and routines to improve student engagement and learning
  • Monitor and effectively communicate with parents/guardians about student progress
     
• Create Safe, Positive School Climates
  • Support social-emotional learning
  • Assess school climate and improve school connectedness
  • Implement school-wide positive behavioral supports
  • Identify at risk students and school vulnerabilities
  • Provide crisis prevention and intervention services
     
• Strengthen Family-School Partnerships
  • Help families understand their child's learning and mental health needs
  • Assist in navigating special education processes
  • Connect families with community service providers when necessary
  • Help effectively engage families with teachers and other school staff
  • Enhance staff understanding and responsiveness to diverse cultures and backgrounds
  • Help students transition between school and community learning environments, such as residential treatment or juvenile justice programs
     
• Improve School-Wide Assessment and Accountability
  • Monitor individual student progress in academics and behavior
  • Generate and interpret useful student and school outcome dat
  • Collect and analyze data on risk and protective factors related to student outcomes
  • Plan services at the district, building, classroom, and individual levels