Role of School Psy
Role of School Psychologists
School psychologists can offer expertise at many levels, from systemwide program design through specific assessment and intervention efforts with the individual students.
School psychologists help develop, implement, and evaluate new approaches to service delivery. School psychologists will:
• Identify and analyze existing literature on problem solving and RtI2 in order to determine relevant and effective approaches for the school district.
• Work with teams to identify stakeholders and key leaders to facilitate system change.
• Conduct needs assessments to identify potential obstacles, concerns, and initial training needs.
• Plan and conduct necessary staff training (on research-based instructional interventions and how to evaluate student progress)
• Develop local norms for academic achievement (curriculum-based measures and other measures of student progress) and monitor the reliability and validity of these norms over time.
• Implement and evaluate RtI2 practices.
School psychologists will seek ways to improve skills in evidence-based intervention strategies, progress-monitoring methods, designing problem-solving models, evaluating instructional and program outcomes, and conducting ecological assessment procedures.
The expertise and support of school psychologists will be needed in the effective implementation of the tiered RtI2 interventions. School psychologists work with other school personnel to consider programmatic options, planning and conducting comprehensive evaluations to determine eligibility for special education services and the educational needs of the students they serve. School psychologists will also:
• Assist teachers with evidence-based instruction, behavioral interventions, screening of literacy skills, and criteria for evaluating academic progress.
• Participate on district curriculum committees to identify curricula and programs that adhere to research-based recommendations.
• Consult with teachers regarding the phases of instruction (planning, managing, delivering, and evaluating).
• Consult with administrators regarding the assessment system and valid data collection using tools that yield reliable and valid data.
• Assist in analyzing data and interpreting scores.
• Collaborate with educators to design and implement effective, research-based strategies.
• Share knowledge about various assessment systems and approaches.
• Consult with educators and conduct assessments to identify the area in which small-group academic interventions should occur and how to interpret the data.
• Assist in monitoring students who do not adequately respond to interventions.
