Oral language skills are important to consider in school psychology practice, as they are directly tied to many areas of academic functioning. For example, research has demonstrated that oral language skills in early elementary school predict reading comprehension in later grades (Kendeou, van den Broek, White, & Lynch, 2009). With a…

In this study we examined the relationships between family demographics and level of satisfaction with school contact as possible determinants of multiple dimensions of family involvement in early childhood education. Participants included 171 urban, Head Start parents (108 mothers and 63 fathers). Results revealed that for mothers, having less…

The effects of teacher practices in promoting student academic achievement, behavioral adjustment, and feelings of competence were investigated in a prospective study of 257 children in 14 first grade classrooms. Using hierarchical linear modeling and regression techniques, observed teaching practices in the fall were explored as predictors of…

Children classified as emotionally disturbed constitute a most challenging and expensive population in the public schools. This article presents a tri-part model of barriers to program design, implementation, and evaluation for children classified as emotionally disturbed in public school settings. An examination of the available school-based…

The effects of the Program for Academic Survival Skills (PASS), a group behavior management program, on behavioral observation data and standardized achievement test measures were investigated. Results indicated PASS produced significant gains in survival skills during operation and one week following termination in reading and mathematics periods…

Contemporary standards of professional practice and recent educational compliance legislation emphasize the delivery of appropriate school psychological services geared to a range of school-age children with special needs. These guidelines are set forth so that school psychologists might consider them and adapt them to local circumstances. (Author)

The three basic steps of the systems approach are described: the mission profile, the functional analysis, and the method-means. The advantageous use of these steps in planning a token economy is illustrated by a systematic evaluation of a token economy implemented in a sixth-grade setting. (Author)

The amount of time devoted to seven professional activities by 15 school psychologists during a six-week period was compared with the perceived involvement in these activities of teachers. Teachers were found to be unaware of the service priorities of psychologists in their schools. (Author)

Presents a set of competencies that are relevant to the practice of school psychology with limited-English-proficiency (LEP) special pupils. They cover the following areas: second-language proficiency of the psychologist, cross-cultural awareness, assessment, knowledge of language development, skill in working with interpreters, and knowledge of…

Reviews issues relative to retention of schoolchildren. Includes a historical perspective on the retention-promotion controversy, information on retention policies and retention prevalence rates, a review of research on the effectiveness of retention, and a discussion of factors that should be considered by psychologists making retention and…

Discusses psychological report writing and suggests that current guidelines have not been responsive to changes in professional practice stemming from legal mandates, changing professional roles, and contemporary theory and practice. Reviews approaches to assessment and their potential influence on report writing and presents a contemporary…

Investigated whether classroom teachers could differentiate among educable mentally handicapped (EMH), learning disabled (LD), and emotionally handicapped (EH) students based on perceptions of classroom behavior patterns. Ratings from classroom behavior inventory scales revealed that EMH students were distinguished by low intelligence, creativity,…

Reviews classroom behavior management studies to see if extrinsic rewards affect intrinsic reinforcement value of appropriate classroom behaviors. Conclusion indicates extrinsic rewards are useful. Teachers need not avoid the use of rewards in fear of undermining intrinsic interest. (LAB)

In light of recent legislation, school psychologists, administrators, and teachers are required to decide if handicapped pupils' educational needs can be met in regular classrooms. Information that may be used to derive this placement decision is examined. Decision-making guidelines are proposed. (Author)

Addresses the issue of utilization of program evaluation information in public schools. Provides perspectives on utilization of evaluation information derived from knowledge utilization theory and research. Describes a set of program evaluation guidelines. Reports a meta-evaluation of the application of the guidelines in public schools. (Author)