The American Psychological Association Task Force on Evidence- Based Practice for Children and Adolescents (2008) recommended a systems approach to enhancing care in order to improve outcomes for children and adolescents with mental health needs and redress persistent systemic problems with the structure of services. Recommendations for enhancing…

Treatment integrity (also referred to as "treatment fidelity," "intervention integrity," and "procedural reliability") is an important methodological concerning both research and practice because treatment integrity data are essential to making valid conclusions regarding treatment outcomes. Despite its relationship to validity, treatment…

We provide an overview of the role professional development plays in multitiered prevention and intervention models. Specifically, professional development is discussed within the context of establishing sustainable improvement in schools as professionals implement multitiered models of prevention and intervention services, programs, and practices…

We present an overview of issues related to evidence-based practice and the role that the school psychology profession can play in developing and disseminating evidence based interventions (EBIs). Historical problems relating to and the recurring debate about the integration of research into practice are presented as a context for the current…

The article "Implementation, Sustainability, and Scaling Up of Social-Emotional and Academic Innovations in Public Schools" by Elias, Zins, Graczyk, and Weissberg (2003) is a thought-provoking contribution, and one that begs for more application. Some of the points the authors raise have been articulated in the school and clinical evidence-based…

Examines the effects of testing accommodations on the mathematics test scores of a sample of fourth-grade students, which included students with disabilities (SWD) and students without disabilities (SWOD). Primary analyses indicated that SWDs experienced a larger effect in the accommodated condition than did SWODs. The SWDs profited more than…

Considers research agendas for moving the school psychology profession forward by yielding unique contributions in the millennium, while enabling school psychologists to enhance outcomes for children and families with greater precision and effectiveness. Specifically examines some research agendas in the areas of diagnosis and assessment,…

Describes three assumptions regarding treatment utility of assessment not supported by objective data: aptitude-treatment interactions do not provide valid basis for treatment selection; individualized assessment is better than nonindividualized assessment; and assessment improves consultation treatment. Proposes agenda to provide an objective,…

Presents methodologies for diagnostic problem solving, including clinical diagnosis using the DSM-IV, multiaxial empirically based assessment, and behavioral assessment. Reviews these approaches within the context of methodological and conceptual issues pertaining to the construct of treatment utility. Argues that clinical diagnosis and…

An overview of the behaviorally-oriented fear reduction methods for children is presented. Systematic desensitization and related procedures, flooding-related therapies, contingency management approaches, modeling procedures, and self-control methods are discussed after reviewing normative and prevalence data regarding children's fears. Research…

A review of the conceptual and methodological considerations in assessment and treatment of children's fears and phobias is presented. Areas discussed include the definitional problems in the field, analogue and clinical research, experimental research methods, and criteria for the evaluation of outcome in fear and phobia research. (Author/DWH)

Case study investigation refers to the relatively uncontrolled and subjectively described study of a single case. Several different types of case studies are reviewed including nontherapeutic, assessment, and therapeutic/intervention. Suggestions for improving case study investigations and recommendations for future case study research in school…

An overview of issues in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of withdrawn or isolated children is presented. Also examined are the most commonly used procedures for the treatment of social withdrawal in children. Limitations of existing conceptual and methodological approaches are discussed along with directions for future research and…

This paper examines the contemporary nature of supervision of behavioral psychologists within the context of the contributions now apparent for school psychology. Specifically, it discusses aspects of the behavioral approach in theory, research, and supervisory practice. Some conceptual and methodological issues are presented as an expanding…

Three studies analyzed training package developed as part of federally funded training grant to teach consultation interview skills to 15 school psychology students in 3 phases of behavioral consultation: problem identification, problem analysis, and treatment evaluation. Results indicated that training package and its variations were effective…