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OSPA
104 Mill Street Suite F
Gahanna OH 43230
Tel: 614.414.5980
Fax: 614.414.5982
Email: mail@OSPAonline.org
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| What is a
School Psychologist? |
School Psychologists are a part of every school
system in the nation. They are highly trained in mental health,
child development, learning theory, motivation, and education.
To meet licensure requirements, Ohio School Psychologists must
obtain a master's degree in School Psychology and serve a one
year supervised internship in a school setting.
What Do School Psychologists Do?
- Support families, school, and the community in meeting the
academic and mental health needs of students.
- Consult with parents, teachers, and other professionals to
promote student well-being and achievement.
- Evaluate academic and socioemotional needs of students.
- Develop special prevention and intervention programs for students.
- Teach effective coping and problem solving skills through
individual and small group counseling.
- Advocate sound educational practices for all students.
For Children:
- Provide formal assessments of a child's abilities, learning
styles, emotional development and social skills.
- Observe in the child's classroom to gather useful data needed
for interventions.
- Integrate the assessment information into an accurate and
useful picture of the child's current skills and abilities.
- Make recommendations for an educational program tailored to
the child's individual needs.
- Help children develop appropriate problem solving skills through
individual or group counseling.
- Monitor the child's progress toward meeting goals set by the
building level team.
For Teachers:
- Consult with teachers about the child's achievement levels,
social and emotional development, and individual needs.
- Consult with teachers about the effects of various teaching
techniques and methods of classroom management.
- Help teachers understand more about how children grow, learn,
and develop.
- Assist teachers in the development of appropriate goals and
objectives necessary to meet the needs of each child.
- Provide formal in-service training to increase knowledge of
psychology, education, and special education law that includes
current research findings.
For Parents:
- Establish open communication between the home and the school
that promotes parent participation in educational decisions
affecting their child.
- Help parents recognize the special needs of their child and
support them as they work to meet those needs.
- Assist parents to better understand typical parent-child interactions
related to stages of development.
- Provide parent education programs.
- Facilitate referrals to other agencies and specialists when
appropriate.
- Collaborate with other professionals on the child's team to
implement recommendations in the school setting.
Children Today Face Many Challenges
School Psychologists
Understand These Challenges
And Are There To Help With:
| Learning difficulties |
Socialization difficulties |
| Separation anxiety |
Attention difficulties |
| Lack of success |
Poor self-confidence |
| Retention |
Lack of motivation |
| School violence |
Teen pregnancy |
| Suicidal thoughts |
Sexuality issues |
| Proficiency testing |
Peer pressure |
| Competition |
Substance use/abuse |
| Family issues |
Trauma and loss |
Online Resources from the National Association
of School Psychologists (NASP):
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