This series of articles documents the increasing sophistication of behavioral interventions across a broad class of behaviors including academics, social behaviors, and emotional regulation. The foundation for effective interventions in the schools is better than at any time in history and, most important, the current political realities are more…

Surveys school psychologists to determine if differences exist among practitioners in the various U.S. Census regions. Variability among the regions was noted for variables of demographic characteristics, current and preferred roles, job satisfaction, assessment practices, and system reform beliefs and attitudes. Findings are discussed in the…

Reviews evidence concerning school psychology practitioners, graduate students, program graduates, degree levels, roles, and supply-demand relationships. Historical trends and current directions were identified with tentative projections to the future. School psychology in 2000 can be characterized as practiced primarily by specialist-level…

Examines results from two surveys of school psychology state leadership and graduate training programs to measure demand for school psychology practitioners. Student to practitioner ratio continues to vary between states and regions. Enrollment in graduate programs remains stable. Discusses consequences of school psychologist shortages in…

Discusses utility of individual ability measures for diagnostic and treatment decisions with children and youth who are referred in educational settings due to learning and/or behavior problems. Concludes that utility of current individual measures of ability in school psychology is low for diagnostic and treatment decisions. (Author/JDM)

Recent school psychology surveys confirm that graduates and practitioners with specialist-level preparation dominate current practice and graduate-program enrollment. Specialist level is likely to continue to dominate because most programs are in institutions that cannot offer doctoral degrees. Few differences exist in master's-, specialist-, and…

Examines the empirical analysis of assessment instruments currently used by school psychologists. Wechsler Intelligence Scales, Bender-Gestalt, and Draw-A-Person are the instruments most often used by the 251 practitioners surveyed. Data found a strong relationship between training and practice. Discusses the effectiveness of current measures used…

Current school psychological services in special education are examined. Reform is recommended due to serious questions concerning the reliability, validity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the current classification system and educational programs for mildly-handicapped students. The nature/direction of reforms--toward pre-referral interventions…

Recent court decisions concerning the demographics of placement of students in various program tracks are reviewed in three articles. Focus is on special cases involving charges of overrepresentation of minorities in programs for the educably mentally retarded. Implications for school psychology and special education are discussed. (TJH)

The analysis in this article is directed to the basic issues: Are IQ tests biased against Black children? And are IQ tests valid for the placement of Black children in special programs? The research evidence on these major issues is ambiguous and contradictory. (Author/CTM)

This critique of the previous article (TM 510 107) notes that the Graden survey is similar to previous surveys in many of its findings. It is argued that the survey results do have important implications for continuing education of school psychologists. (BW)

Reviews recent advances in assessment of intelligence using procedures developed from cognitive theory and research. Appraises probable success of newer cognitive processing approaches using criteria of diagnostic utility, intervention implications, and treatment validity. Notes that neither new nor traditional intelligence tests have clearly…

Examined prevailing assumptions regarding differences between school psychologists in different settings. Compared professional preparation, experience, employment conditions, job satisfaction, roles, continuing education needs, and perceptions of key issues of school psychologists (n=502) in rural, urban, suburban, and combination settings. Found…

Evaluation of cooperative university and state department of education continuing education program in consultation and curriculum-based assessment revealed significant gains in practitioner competencies. Specific skills associated with modules on behavioral consultation, curriculum-based assessment, and referral question consultative decision…

Analyzes two surveys sent to school psychologists questioning whether differences exist in training, practice, attitudes, or roles among male and female school-psychology practitioners or faculty. Findings confirm the assumption that practitioners are female and most faculty in school psychology are males. Discusses implications for future…