School Psychology Commons^™

Student Teachers Perceptions And Knowledge Of School Psychology, Ryan Harting

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

In the years following the passage of Public Law 94-142, school psychologists’ main role was to facilitate the placement of children into different educational programs (Fagan & Wise, 2000). The role of the school psychologist has shifted since that time, and today school psychology training programs produce practitioners who are equipped to handle much more. A continuation in the departure from the assessment and eligibility determination role of the school psychologist allows for a more proactive approach to problematic childhood and adolescent behaviors. A barrier that stands in the way of this role transformation are teachers’ perceptions, knowledge, and reactions …

Current Practices And Opinions Of School Psychologists: Early Childhood Psychological Assessment, Sarah Stout

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The present study investigated the current practices and perceptions in the field of early childhood assessment. There appears to be a disconnect between what is required by law, what is recommended as best practice, and what school psychologists are doing in the field. The results of the present study revealed the most influential tool in determining special education eligibility was the child’s score on a standardized assessment. Participants also reported conventional assessments as the most frequently used technique. However, when asked their opinions on how valid assessments tools are in reflecting a child’s true ability, less than half reported they …

Impacts Of Self-Efficacy On School Psychologists' Provisions Of Mental Health Services, Ashley Jantzer

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to identify variables that predict a school psychologist’s self-efficacy in counseling abilities, as well as identify variables that predict perceived barriers to implementing mental health services to students in a school setting. Participants were 84 school psychologists working in the state of Washington. Participants were asked to complete a survey that included (a) demographic questions, (b) a questionnaire about perceived self-efficacy in counseling abilities, and (c) a questionnaire about perceived barriers to providing mental health services. The results of two multiple linear regression equations suggest that in this study, certain variables predicted both self-efficacy …

The Intersection Of Mindfulness, Teacher Efficacy And School Climate: A Pilot Study, Sarah K. Killion

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Burnout, teaching self-efficacy, and school climate are hot topics in education. Daily stressors create feelings known as burnout, including emotional exhaustion, detachment from teammates, and a decline in feelings of professional competence. The alarmingly high rate of educator turnover illustrates a critical juncture in education. Therefore, interventions are required to improve a teachers' ability to manage student behaviors, provide quality instruction, maintain student engagement, and sustain an atmosphere of collegiality with teammates and administrators.

Mindfulness is a concept that is best understood as moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness cultivated through the practice of meditation and calming activities. These interventions are being utilized …

Rural, Urban, And Suburban School Communities And Their Impact On School Psychologists, Claire Crosier

Honors Theses

School psychologists play an important role today in the education of students by helping those with and without diagnosed disabilities. Their role as a school psychologist entails assessing students, providing interventions, consulting with teachers and more. This study looks to see if school psychologists have a different role depending on their community location, specifically rural, urban and suburban locations. Past research is outdated and finds varying results with some finding that the role differs depending on the setting, while others find more similarities than differences. This study found both similarities and differences in characteristics of school psychologists, the population of …

The School Psychologist’S Role In The Problem Solving Process: How Assessment Can Inform Intervention, Rachel Larkin

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This study serves as an investigation into the role of school psychologists within the problem solving process, intervention selection, and the role assessment in guiding intervention selection. School psychologists have many different roles that they can carry out and the roles of assessment and intervention tend to be the two largest. Assessments are designed for clinical decision-making and interventions are designed to target the specific needs of a student. As problem solvers and decision makers, it would make sense to use the tools that school psychologists have, including assessment and intervention, in combination in order to help students succeed. The …

Developing College Transition Supports Using Student Perceptions: Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Arsenio Moss

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

In recent years, there has been an increase in students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) enrolled four-year institutions in the United States. Current but inconclusive estimates state that between 2% and 8% of college students report clinically significant levels of ADHD (DuPaul Weyandt, O'Dell, & Varejao, 2009). The nature of the disorder and demands of higher education put these students at risk for several academic and mental health issues while in college. The purpose of the current research was to obtain information from current college students with ADHD about their college transition and adjustment experiences and use their perspectives in …

Preparedness Of School Psychologists To Provide Services For Students Diagnosed With Cancer, Lauren Mckenzie Blevins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Children who survive cancer face many challenges when reintegrating into the school system. School psychologists are among the school support professionals who may aid in providing support and identifying appropriate interventions and accommodations for the academic and mental health needs of these students. This study identifies whether school psychologists in West Virginia perceive themselves to be adequately prepared to assist students who have survived cancer upon returning to school. A survey containing fourteen questions regarding the individual’s experience, training, and knowledge was distributed to school psychologists in attendance at the Fall 2016 West Virginia School Psychologists’ Association conference. Of the …

A Multi-State Comparison Of Nasp Domains Of Practice And School Psychologist Evaluation Rubrics, Courtney E. Hutchinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study compares rubrics used to evaluate school psychologists to the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) 10 Domains of Practice. Using a content analysis of state evaluation rubrics, the researcher determined the extent to which various state evaluation rubrics align with the NASP domains and selected terminology from the NASP domains. Results indicate a need for a comprehensive and NASP-endorsed rubric, to be used by certified and experienced school psychologists for evaluation purposes. This research study will inform efforts at school psychology training programs, local and state education agencies, the United States Department of Education, and the NASP.

The Impact Of Rewards On The Effectiveness Of Performance Feedback In Improving Writing Production In Elementary School Students, Leslie Allison Hart

Doctoral Dissertations

Approximately a quarter of students in classrooms across the United States meet minimum grade-level expectations in writing in national assessments (National Center for Education Statistics, 2012). The purpose of the present study is to elaborate on the role performance feedback can play in increasing student writing production through novel additions to established methodology. Specifically, an alternating treatments design was used to evaluate the impact of two iterations of a performance feedback intervention. The first evaluated how performance feedback (with two representations of total words written and a velocity indicator) impacts student writing production across production-dependent and production-independent variables. The second …

Exploring Students' Perceptions Of Academic Strengths And Weaknesses, John S. Brookbank Iv

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

As school progresses, the importance of self-advocacy becomes more evident. Before a student is able to become an effective self-advocate for their needs and services, it is essential for them to have an appropriate understanding of their academic strengths and weaknesses. Students with learning disabilities are often faced with the difficult task of understanding what it means to have a learning disability, and school psychologists do not have a clear set of guidelines as to how to inform these students in the most developmentally appropriate way. To provide school psychologists with more information regarding the formation students’ academic self-perceptions, to …

The Experience Of Reading: What Elementary Children Think Of Reading, Francesca Simpson

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

As students with disabilities prepare to move from high school to vocations or post-secondary schooling it is essential they be able to self-advocate for their needed services. During their public school years, school psychologists, counselors, and other school administrative personnel are responsible for ensuring they are provided with an “appropriate,” barrier-free education under federal law. But upon graduation from high school, that responsibility shifts entirely onto the individual. In order to self-advocate successfully a student with a disability must know about their cognitive strengths and weaknesses. In regards to learning the student must be able to describe them to others …

The Development Of A School Psychology Relevant Parent Survey, Alexa Futcher

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The special education process typically involves the school psychologist, parents, and other members of the school staff. Prior to the first meeting, school psychologists know very little about the parents coming to the table. In order to better understand the style in which parents operate, a brief survey tool was created. Using Baumrind’s three parenting style prototypes and input from school psychologists, 55 items were created and 3 new groups of parent behavior were proposed: warmth, flexibility, and involvement. Nine school psychologists from a school district in Central Virginia vetted the questions based on their usefulness and group they related …

School Psychologists’ Integrity Of Treatment Integrity, Samantha Skolnik

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

In this dissertation, the author conducted a survey study of practicing school psychologists on their knowledge of, familiarity with, and use of treatment integrity in school-based interventions. A total of 195 self-identified practicing school psychologists provided information on their measurement and evaluation of treatment integrity on school-based intervention via a one-on-one consultation with teacher and/or parents and within a school-based problem-solving team. Furthermore, data were collected on the barriers school psychologists encounter when trying to implement treatment integrity protocols and what would make them more successful in measuring and evaluating treatment integrity within their practices. The most significant finding from …

School Psychologists’ Training And Knowledge Of Tourette Syndrome, Leticia Cornejo

Educational Studies Dissertations

A web-based survey was conducted that included 97 practicing school psychologists in California. The results from the survey indicated that the majority (88%) of respondents were knowledgeable about Tourette Syndrome. Many respondents (28%) had never worked with a student with Tourette’s, 20% had at least one case, and 52% indicated that they had worked with more than two cases in their careers as school psychologists. The majority of respondents indicated that their school psychology program did not adequately train them to assess or counsel students with Tourette’s. The majority of participants also did not feel confident to work with students …

Generalization And Maintenance Of High School Teachers' Use Of Behavior Specific Praise Following Direct Behavioral Consultation In Classrooms, Traci Ann Taber

Dissertations

This study tested the efficacy of in situ direct training on increasing high school teachers’ use of behavior specific praise in the classroom. Of further interest was the extent to which training led to teachers’ maintained praise and generalized praise use in untrained classes. Students’ disruptive behaviors were measured concurrently to test the relationship between increased praise use and decreases in students’ inappropriate behavior in the classroom. Increasing the frequency of teachers’ use of praise statements with students for engaging in appropriate behavior has shown subsequent reduction in the occurrence of classroom disruptions resulting in less time that a teacher …

Suicidal Behavior Among Elementary School Students And Current Needs In Prevention Practices: A Survey Of Virginia School Counselors, Maranda K. D. Vandyke

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Most of the research on suicidal behavior has focused on the middle and high school level, and an extensive review of the literature shows that more information is needed on the current needs and prevention practices at the elementary school level. In Virginia, school psychologists rated school counselors the top professional in elementary schools to lead suicide intervention and prevention efforts. Due to this, the current study examined 161 Virginia school counselors’ responses to an online survey to further explore intervention and prevention efforts among school professionals. Both school counselors and school psychologists noted that receiving additional training and having …

After-School Programming As Intervention For Students With Disabilities, Edward D. Tynan

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

After-school programs are increasing in popularity, with an estimated 6.5 million students attending organized after-school programs (Harvard Family Research Project, 2008). With the continuing rise in popularity of these programs, more students (including students with disabilities) have access to after-school programs. The purpose of the current research was to discover what current practitioners of school psychology recommend in regards to after-school programming for students with disabilities. All participants were school psychologists or staff members at after-school programs located within either the Richmond, VA region (including the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Henrico County) or the Harrisonburg,VA region (including the …

Teacher Child Interaction Training As A Universal Prevention Program In Preschool And Kindergarten Classrooms, Jessica Rossi

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The current study assessed the effectiveness of Teacher Child Interaction Training (TCIT), an adaptation of Eyberg’s Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), on teacher and child behaviors in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. The sample included four classrooms in urban, socioeconomically disadvantaged and culturally diverse settings. Two preschool classrooms were included in the first study and one preschool and one kindergarten classroom were included in the second study. Both studies used a concurrent multiple baseline design to evaluate the effects of training and coaching on teacher and child behaviors in the classroom. The intervention focused on the development of a friendly attachment …

Reading Compliance In A School Psychology Graduate Program, Britainey Anne Cooper

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to collect data on graduate reading compliance specific to the field of school psychology. This study examined the amount of required reading completed by graduate students in a National Association of School Psychologists accredited school psychology training program. An online questionnaire developed by McMinn & colleagues (2009) was adapted to fit the context of the current study. Thirty-two students (70%) responded. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that reading compliance was affected by the number of adults living with students, F(1, 20) = 6.14, p = .022, ηp2 = .235. Students were most motivated to …

The Frequency And Competency Of Executive Functions Assessment And Intervention Among Practicing School Psychologists, Meghan A. Garrett

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study surveyed school psychologists (N = 167) primarily from six different states about their perceptions, knowledge, frequency, and application of executive functions assessment and interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore school psychologists’ practices in executive functions assessment and interventions. Results of the study indicated that school psychologists vary in their knowledge of executive functions, but the majority of them do not include the assessment of and intervention in executive functions deficits in their regular practice. However, school psychologists tended to report executive functions assessment and intervention more frequently when presented with specific disability classifications (e.g. autism, …

A Home Literacy Intervention To Improve Student Reading And Parental Self-Efficacy, Holly Bond Farrell

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Parental involvement is an important factor in student academic achievement. Parental involvement is strongly influenced by parental self-efficacy, a parent’s feeling that they can successfully help their child succeed. Parents with high self-efficacy are more involved; if parental self-efficacy can be increased, involvement should increase. Parent involvement has been shown to be most effective academically when tied to a specific intervention in a targeted academic skill, such as reading. It was hypothesized that teaching parents how to conduct simple literacy tutorial sessions at home would lead to an increase in both student reading scores and parental feelings of self-efficacy. An …

Integration Of School Psychology And Neuropsychology: An Inquiry, Megan Colleen Moerke

All Master's Theses

A state level survey was conducted to examine interest regarding the integration of a neuropsychological perspective into school psychology practice among practicing school psychologists in Washington State. Potential respondents were contacted through e-mail and invited to participate in the original survey developed by the author. The 25 question survey sought to answer questions regarding neuropsychological training, attitudes and beliefs toward the incorporation of a neuropsychological perspective, current professional practices, interaction with neuropsychologists through referral and consultation, and potential barriers to the incorporation of a neuropsychological perspective. A total of 433 school psychologists completed the online survey for an approximate response …

Teacher Training For Lre Mainstreaming And Diverse Classrooms, Rhonda J. Callanan

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Since the enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, classrooms in the United States have changed over the years. These laws have added numerous responsibilities for teachers, especially the Least Restrictive Environment mandate that places more students with disabilities in the general education classrooms. A review of the literature shows that even though more skills are required to teach in more diverse classrooms, teacher training programs have not changed in response to this need. A second problem related to insufficient teacher training is the increase in students …

Traumatic Brain Injury Knowledge And Perceived Competence Among Practicing School Psychologists, Melissa Santaguida Delucca

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a common occurrence in school-aged children. The epidemic of TBI is the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults (Harris, Mishkin, & Ross, 2010). Children who suffer head injuries frequently experience behavioral, adaptive, and educational deficits (Taylor et al., 2002). As child study team members, under the provisions set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), school psychologists are responsible for the identification, classification, assessment, and implementation of proper school-based treatment for children who sustain a TBI. This study sought to determine New Jersey school psychologists’ endorsement of common …

School Psychologists' Knowledge And Self-Perceived Competency In Identifying, Assessing, And Treating Childhood Anxiety Disorders In The School Setting, Jaime Moldovan

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in the school setting but highly under-recognized, compared with the more outward behavioral disorders. Because of the many negative consequences of anxiety going unnoticed in children, school psychologists should be able to identify, assess, and treat children with anxiety in the school setting. This study utilized survey research to explore whether or not school psychologists felt knowledgeable and competent in identifying, assessing, and treating anxiety disorders in the school setting. Specifically, it explored whether or not there was a relationship between years of experience and levels of degree on knowledge and competence with identifying, assessing, …

Using Bibliotherapy With Selected Developmental Concerns Of Middle School Youth, Dianne Keeling

All Graduate Projects

This project investigated literature related to the developmental concerns of middle school youth and the use of bibliotherapy. The purpose of this investigation was to gain a theoretical understanding of these developmental concerns and the related use of bibliotherapy as well as to discover instructional strategies for the use of bibliotherapy in the middle school classroom. The product of this investigation is a resource guide for the use of bibliotherapy with selected developmental concerns of middle school youth. A review of selected literature revealed that some developmental concerns of students at this age are adolescent changes, anger, drug/alcohol abuse, violence …

An Investigation Into The Relationship Between Student Grades And Parental Attitude Towards The Teacher, Jerry C. Fritts

All Master's Theses

Realizing that the parents play an important role in the total educational process, the primary purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between student grades and parental attitude toward the teacher. It is contended that there is a relationship manifesting itself in the form of a positive correlation and it behooves those in education to do something to cultivate an atmosphere more conducive to educational success. Developing a mutual respect and willingness for cooperation between home and the teacher would serve to greatly enhance a child's educational experience. Another purpose of this study is to …

The Use Of Selected Films And Film Discussions In Modifying Social Distance In Elementary School Children, Stanton C. Baker

All Master's Theses

When conflicts involving interpersonal relationships arise within the school setting, it would appear appropriate to attempt to cope with these conflicts within the framework of the school; particularly the classroom. Many methods of modifying behavior through group procedures have been attempted with varying degrees of success. It was the purpose of this study to investigate the effectiveness of one such method; a fiIm-discussion technique. This program was developed to modify behaviors, attitudes and/or perceptions which interfere with the development of constructive interpersonal relationships within an elementary classroom.