A survey of school psychologists' preparation,participation, and perceptions related to positive behavior interventions and supports

Positive behavior interventions and supports are increasingly utilized in school systems throughout the nation, particularly the school‐wide multi‐tiered support framework. Given such trends, and the basis of these practices in psychological principles and research, it is important to identify how school psychologists are trained to contribute to such efforts, their involvement in intervention activities, and their perceptions of this approach. We surveyed a national sample of 557 school psychologists regarding their training, involvement, and perceptions of positive behavior supports. The results indicate that although most respondents had a variety of training experiences in multiple behavior‐related areas, one quarter did not report receiving any training related to school‐wide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS). Although 35% of school psychologists reported employment in schools implementing SWPBIS, these schools varied in the SWPBIS elements in place. Implications for school psychology training and practice are addressed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

THE STUDENT HOMELESSNESS CRISIS AND THE ROLE OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY: MISSED OPPORTUNITIES,ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT,AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Affecting more than 1 million youth, student homelessness is growing at an unprecedented rate in the United States. This is alarming because homeless students face significant barriers to their academic success and positive life outcomes. Unfortunately, despite the significant risks and challenges they face, homeless students often are overlooked and not provided with important educational and social‐emotional supports. In addition, information on student homelessness is relatively limited in the school psychology literature and practice guidelines, which can forestall efforts to help these students. To date, only a few empirical articles have been published on student homelessness in school psychology journals and in practitioner‐related literature. To help address this paucity, this article discusses barriers to the academic success of homeless students, as well as ways to reduce these barriers. Additionally, important protective factors, resilience, and ways to overcome homelessness‐related stigma are reviewed. Lastly, ways that school psychologists can become key stakeholders in efforts to help support the academic and life success of homeless students are discussed. The overall goal for this article is to encourage school psychologists to redouble their efforts to support a highly at‐risk yet often neglected student population.     

SCHOOL‐WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS

This investigation employed a participatory action research method involving school psychology consultants and educators to design and evaluate the impact of school‐wide positive behavioral interventions and supports in a self‐contained school serving students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The traditional practices of a universal system, including teaching and acknowledging expected behaviors and responding to disruptive behaviors, were adapted to better accommodate the needs of a more challenging student population. In addition, system‐wide practices, including various teaming and professional development strategies, were instituted to promote sustainability. Results, after implementation of Tier 1, showed reductions in the frequency of discipline referrals and the number of emergency safety interventions, with a sustained impact across the next 3 years. Limitations included the lack of experimental control in evaluating the intervention. Discussion includes recommendations for an expanded role for school psychologists in promoting evidence‐based practices for high‐risk student populations.     

School psychology goes to college: The emerging role of school psychology in college communities

Many college students display academic and social‐emotional needs that are not being addressed by extant university supports. School psychologists who work in postsecondary settings and have expertise in providing psychoeducational services may be uniquely positioned to help many of these students. However, few school psychologists currently work with or serve college students. To address unmet student needs and illustrate the fruitful role of school psychology in college communities, this article discusses ways university‐based or ‐affiliated school psychologists can expand their current roles. Additionally, a multitiered framework is included that encourages the provision of interventions at universal, selective, and targeted service delivery levels. Although many of the interventions and ideas discussed in this article are not yet widely implemented, they warrant consideration and further elaboration because of their potential to impact college students and the practice of school psychology. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Anti‐bullying practices in American schools: Perspectives of school psychologists

A random sample of 213 school psychologists working in a school setting completed a survey on their schools' current anti‐bullying practices. Talking with bullies following bullying incidents, disciplinary consequences for bullies, and increasing adult supervision were the three most frequently used strategies. Peer juries/court, an anti‐bullying committee, and peer counselors were least frequently used, according to respondents. School‐wide positive behavior support, modifying space and schedule, and immediate responses to bullying incidents were perceived as most effective, whereas avoiding contact between bullies and victims, a zero‐tolerance policy with bullies, and a written anti‐bullying policy were least effective. Results and implications are discussed within the context of empirically supported practices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Life satisfaction in children and youth: Empirical foundations and implications for school psychologists

A central component of positive psychology is subjective well‐being (SWB). One facet of SWB receiving increased research attention is children's perceived quality of life (PQOL). Existing research related to child and youth PQOL is reviewed, followed by a discussion of the implications of the research for school psychology practice. Research with children and adolescents reveals that PQOL has a wide ranging nomological network including personality, environmental, and activity variables. Furthermore, PQOL appears to mediate relationships between the environmental experiences of youth and problem behavior. Implications are discussed within the context of calls for greater attention by school psychologists to prevention, non‐traditional assessment, direct service, consultation with teachers and parents, diversity issues, and the science‐practice connection. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 81–93, 2004.     

SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN FOSTER CARE

Students living in foster care are at risk for experiencing many challenges in school, spanning domains of social–emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning. They are twice as likely to be absent from school and to have received and out‐of‐school suspension and up to three and a half times more likely to receive special education services. Therefore, it is important for schools to recognize and respond to the unique needs of students in foster care to provide the necessary resources for school success. When working with students in foster care, school psychologists should be equipped to support the success of these students by determining what the needs of students in foster care are, and how to meet identified needs. The current paper will discuss the education‐related vulnerabilities and presenting problems for children in foster care and outline social–emotional, behavioral, and academic supports that school psychologists can offer.     

Pilot study for the fidelity,acceptability, and effectiveness of a PBIS program plus mental health supports in under‐resourced urban schools

This paper describes implementation (fidelity, perceived acceptability) and tier 1 and Tier 2 outcomes of school‐wide positive behavior interventions and supports approach including mental health supports at Tier 2 in two K‐8 urban schools. Interventions for Tier 2 consisted of three manualized group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) protocols for externalizing behavior problems, depression, and anxiety. Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions were implemented with fidelity but program feasibility for Tier 2 was in question because school personnel needed a great deal of external support to implement the interventions. Tier 1 interventions were associated with a decrease in office discipline referrals. Students participating in GCBT showed a significant decrease in mental health diagnostic severity at posttreatment. A discussion of perceived and actual implementation barriers and how they were addressed is provided. Implications for practice in low‐income urban schools are discussed.     

Consultant's guide for the use of time‐out in the preschool and elementary classroom

During school‐based consultation, school psychologists must often help consultees learn how to implement various behavior change strategies. One of the most effective behavior change strategies for preschool and elementary children is time‐out. Although time‐out has been shown to be effective for reducing a variety of problem behaviors, lack of knowledge regarding the parameters and procedures of time‐out has led to its ineffective use in the classroom and low ratings of acceptability by teachers. This article provides information on the time‐out research in hopes of enabling school psychologists to use, and train others to use, time‐out more effectively when indicated by the data from a behavioral or functional assessment. The guide presented here may also serve as a heuristic for those wishing to conduct research on the use of time‐out in the classroom. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The role of school psychologists in the assessment,prevention, and intervention of cyberbullying

Many school‐aged children have experienced the cruelty of bullying. The impact and effects of bullying have been described extensively in scholarly literature. Unfortunately, the impact of bullying has also made contemporary headlines with the recent rash of school shootings and other forms of school‐based violence. The current body of students brings an additional threat to bullying. Due to their sophisticated use of technology, today's students are using contemporary delivery systems to taunt, tease, and threaten their classmates. Cyberbullying is the newest form of bullying, and it brings additional challenges for school personnel. Because of the unique aspects of cyberbullying, school psychologists need strategies to guide school communities faced with this threatening behavior. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Juggling personal life and professionalism: Ethical implications for rural school psychologists

Rural communities often contain unique features that separate them from more urban communities. Although a body of research is devoted to ethical considerations for psychologists working in rural communities as a whole, much less current research is focused on working in rural schools. This paper specifically highlights ethical considerations regarding competence, multiple relationships, and confidentiality. Given that access to services within the community may be limited, school psychologists may encounter cases that are outside of their area of competence. Furthermore, due to the interconnectedness present in many rural communities, psychologists frequently have multiple relationships with those whom they have professional contact. Confidentiality may be compromised when families and school personnel also have multiple relationships. These factors must be considered by psychologists working in rural schools, and steps must be taken at the outset of practice to ensure ethical compliance. More specific means of obtaining this compliance are discussed in this paper.     

The educational implications of type i diabetes mellitus: A review of research and recommendations for school psychological practice

Type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common chronic illnesses in children and youth, with many affected students requiring individualized services and supports within educational settings. This article systematically reviews the research regarding the implications of this illness for students' cognitive and academic functioning to clarify the ways in which this disease may limit children's learning and school performance. The authors synthesize the findings, summarize the related literature regarding school‐based supports, and provide recommendations for school psychologists to support the unique psychoeducational needs of this population. Results highlight the need for more research on effective school‐based interventions to ensure academic success for children with T1DM. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The status and impact of prereferral intervention: “We need a better way to determine success”

This study assessed the current status of preferral practices in the state of Michigan. Directors of special education for intermediate school districts (N=49) responded to a survey addressing issues such as whether prereferral intervention was required, the suspected handicaps for which it is used, the nature of the interventions, and who designs, implements, and evaluates interventions. Respondents also commented on the success of prereferral practices. Results indicated that (a) most districts either require or recommend prereferral practices, (b) interventions are used predominantly with students suspected of mild handicaps, and (c) academic and behavior management strategies are equally prevalent intervention strategies. The respondents' judgment of intermittent success for prereferral interventions and the prominence of school psychologists as evaluators of interventions prompt discussion of how psychologists can assist in improving prereferral practices.     

Deleterious effects of psychotherapy and counseling in the schools

Providing individual and group counseling has become an identified role for school psychologists working in the school setting. There is an extensive research base that highlights positive outcomes and supports the use of a variety of counseling methods when working with children and adolescents. However, there may exist a host of other outcomes, including deleterious effects, when counseling school‐age children and adolescents. This article looks to identify and summarize some of the possible deleterious effects in school‐based counseling across a variety of disorders and to make school psychologists cognizant of possible negative outcomes when designing and implementing treatment plans. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A comparison of the mystery motivator and the Get 'Em On Task interventions for off‐task behaviors

Attending to instruction is a critical behavior for academic success. Many elementary school teachers, however, identify disruptive and inattentive classroom behaviors as key barriers to students' successful educational performance. This study examined the impact of two class‐wide positive behavior support programs. The Mystery Motivator and Get 'Em On Task interventions were implemented in an alternating treatments design with fifth grade participants to decrease off‐task behaviors. Results indicated that both interventions effectively decreased off‐task behavior at the class‐wide level. Implications and suggestions for future research on evidence‐based behavioral interventions are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Self‐regulation empowerment program: A school‐based program to enhance self‐regulated and self‐motivated cycles of student learning

This article describes a training program, Self‐Regulation Empowerment Program (SREP), that school professionals can use to empower adolescent students to engage in more positive, self‐motivating cycles of learning. It is a two‐part approach whereby self‐regulated learning coaches (SRC) (a) use microanalytic assessment procedures to assess students' self‐regulation beliefs and study strategies and (b) train students to use these strategies in a cyclical, self‐regulation feedback loop. Ultimately, students learn how to set goals, select and monitor strategy effectiveness, make strategic attributions, and adjust their goals and strategies. The program was developed from social‐cognitive theory and research and integrates many of the essential features of the problem‐solving model. Interventions used in the SREP include graphing, cognitive modeling, cognitive coaching, and structured practice sessions. A case study is presented to illustrate procedures for implementing the program. Implications for school psychologists and teachers also are presented and discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 537–550, 2004.     

A survey of school psychologists' knowledge and training in child psychopharmacology

A national sample of 320 school‐based, practicing members of the National Association of School Psychologists provided information on (a) their caseloads receiving medications, (b) types of school psychopharmacology training opportunities available and perceptions of their current training in child psychopharmacology, and (c) information about consultative efforts in monitoring medication effects on school functioning. Results indicated that almost one of every four cases seen by survey participants were being treated with psychotropic medications; nearly all respondents have engaged in consultation related to medication evaluations. Professional workshops and independent reading were the most utilized training opportunities, and participant responses indicated an overwhelming need for basic educational training to improve knowledge and consultation in this area. Implications of these findings on training in evidence‐based interventions and current practice are discussed as school psychologists experience legislative pressure to diminish their collaborative involvement in medication treatment consideration and evaluation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 623–633, 2006.     

Group counseling in the schools: Legal,ethical, and treatment issues in school practice

School psychologists are interested in providing effective and efficient direct services to children. With a wide spectrum of psychological problems impacting children, group counseling represents one viable and valuable intervention. Given the complexity of group counseling, many schools and school psychologists are interested in legal and ethical issues impacting group interventions. From the attainment of appropriate consents for counseling to ethical dilemmas, the challenges involved in direct services are large. This article reviews mental health issues transforming children's mental health, considers differing group counseling models and stages of group development, and examines contemporary legal and ethical dilemmas inherent in school practice. Uniquely, a question‐and‐answer format is used to highlight legal issues for practice. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Empirical and clinical methods in the assessment of personality and psychopathology: An integrative approach for training

School psychologists have a critical role in identifying social‐emotional problems and psychopathology in youth based on a set of personality‐assessment competencies. The development of competencies in assessing personality and psychopathology is complex, requiring a variety of integrated methods and approaches. Given the limited extent and scope of formal preparation in personality assessment in school psychology training programs, it is important to develop models using multiple methods of assessment. It is proposed that an integrated paradigm associated with a combination of empirical and clinical methods serve as a framework for the development of school psychology practice competencies in personality assessment. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 513–526, 2006.     

THE CLASSROOM PASSWORD: A CLASS‐WIDE INTERVENTION TO INCREASE ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT

The present study investigated the effectiveness of a novel class‐wide intervention, the Classroom Password, for increasing the academic engaged behavior of middle school students. The effectiveness of an independent group contingency was evaluated using a concurrent multiple baseline design across three seventh‐ and eighth‐grade classrooms. Results indicated that the intervention was effective across all three classrooms in increasing students’ academic engagement, or on‐task behavior, as evidenced by visual analysis and moderate to large effect sizes. Decreases in disruptive behavior were also observed across all three classrooms. Off‐task behavior was not substantially affected in any of the three classrooms. The intervention received mixed ratings by the classroom teachers regarding its social validity. Results of the present study suggest that the Classroom Password may be an effective class‐wide intervention for increasing the academically engaged behavior and decreasing the disruptive behavior of middle school students during instructional time.