The "Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services," also known as the NASP Practice Model, outlines 10 general domains of school psychological practices. This article is one in a series that highlights various domains within the Practice Model and, through an interview with practicing school psychologists,…

This article presents summaries of three studies relevant to school crisis response. The first report, "A Framework for International Crisis Intervention" (Sally Dorman), is a review of how existing crisis intervention models (including the NASP PREPaRE model) have been adapted for international use. The second article, "Responding…

District implementation of the response to intervention (RTI) model has occurred at a surprising rate. It appears that implementation of RTI has occurred rapidly and is being implemented with all students. Rapid implementation of RTI is occurring alongside continued controversy over the model and its intended uses. Although significant research…

A recent movement in schools is the implementation of multitiered models of service delivery. Known as response to intervention (RTI), multitiered systems of support (MTSS), or instructional decision making (IDM), these models refer to a tiered framework of services in which research-based instruction is matched to the "data-based needs of…

This article presents an account of how the Charleston County School District responded to an event by utilizing the PREPaRE model (Brock, et al., 2009). The acronym, PREPaRE, refers to a range of crisis response activities: P (prevent and prepare for psychological trauma), R (reaffirm physical health and perceptions of security and safety), E…

In today's educational climate, where inclusion and response to intervention (RTI) are valued, the use of coteaching represents one potential way for schools to meet the diverse needs of students in their classrooms. Although school psychologists are not typically involved in delivering instruction through a coteaching paradigm, they have the…

In the previous article in this series, the authors provided a rationale for integrating academic and behavior response to intervention (RTI) systems. Their rationale included: (1) research showing that challenges in academic and social behavior are linked; (2) a description of the common features that both RTI systems share; and (3) the…

The authors of this article were brought together by a common goal: enhancing consultation skills during internship year. As the concluding experience of preservice training, the school psychology internship provides an opportunity for trainees to move from novice levels of skill awareness and limited application toward more competent practice.…

Across the country, school psychologists are pushing for a role beyond the traditional refer-test-place model and "gatekeeper" of special education. The broad skill set of school psychologists, including knowledge of curriculum, instruction, data analysis, and intervention, can produce positive results for all students throughout the district.…

There has been much recent discussion among educators on the topic of implementing a response to intervention (RTI) framework to identify special education needs for students with specific learning disabilities. There is good reason for such discussion, as all students benefit from RTI when implemented with integrity and fidelity. The result of…

Positive psychology can be thought of as the scientific study of what is "right about people" as opposed to the traditional focus on the healing of psychological pain or trauma. The philosophical roots of positive psychology can be traced back to Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, as well as Islamic and Athenian…

The importance of positive subjective well-being (SWB) is supported by the wide-ranging network of relations between students' SWB and crucial school processes and outcomes, such as positive student engagement behavior, interpersonal relationships, coping skills, and academic achievement. Some studies have revealed that not only is positive SWB a…

In September 2009, the National Autism Center announced the completion of its multiyear National Standards Project. The National Standards Project serves to support parents and professionals and answers one of the most pressing questions asked by school psychologists: "How do school psychologists effectively treat the growing number of students…

As a practicing school psychologist and administrator at Brown International Academy, an inner city elementary school in Denver Public Schools, the author believes that if the RTI model is put into practice, it will greatly impact educational outcomes for all students. Putting RTI into practice is not easy. It requires individuals to think…

In January 2008, the school-wide data for Alice Birney Middle School in North Charleston, South Carolina were concerning. According to the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Reading data, 40% to 48% of the students fell below the 25th percentile at each grade level. The authors realized that these students were not all undiagnosed special…