School psychologists and the practice of consultation

This article reports the results of an investigation of the consultation practices of school psychologists. It was found that consultation is one of the school psychologist's major professional functions, and that psychologists feel that other school personnel want them to spend more of their professional time consulting than they do at present. Client-centered consultation is the dominant variety practiced by the respondents, and they tend to conceptualize their consultation efforts in a humanistic (Rogerian) or behavioristic framework. Age and salary are factors in the amount and type of consultation done. Most of the respondents had little formal training in consultation and have learned what they know on the job.     

The impact of PL 94-142 on the practice of school psychology: A national survey

This paper presents the results of a national survey of school psychologists to determine the impact of PL 94-142 on the role of the school psychologist. Data were based on responses to 856 surveys by practicing school psychologists who were selected randomly from the NASP membership list during 1979-80. The results suggested that this legislation has had remarkably little impact on the evaluation procedures used or on the school psychologist's role. The two clear changes that have occurred may have negative implications for psychological services (e.g., an increased focus on handicapped children and increased paperwork). It was found that many school psychologists are involved in evaluation, but do not have time to be involved in the IEP process, or to provide follow-up consultation, or direct intervention for prevention and/or therapeutic purposes. This problem was exacerbated in districts that had ratios of greater than 1,000 to 1. Despite these problems, many respondents view the legislation in positive terms, and feel it has helped to enlarge the scope of practice.     

Further Reflections on Hypothesis Testing and Editorial Policy for Primary Research Journals

Questions have recently been raised about the value of statistical hypothesis testing, as well as the associated policy implications for publishing empirically based research in professional journals. In this Reflections note, we extend our (Robinson and Levin, 1997) earlier thoughts on what could, should, and should not be done to existing editorial practices.     

Increasing appropriate classroom behaviour and academic performance by reinforcing correct work alone

The present study examined indirect effects of modifying appropriate classroom behaviour by itself and academic performance by itself. Of particular interest were changes in appropriate behaviour as students were reinforced for correct work. Five disruptive boys were given arithmetic assignments during daily 20-minute experimental sessions. Changes in appropriate behaviour and arithmetic performance were measured during the following phases: (a) an initial baseline phase; (b) reinforcement for appropriate behaviour alone; (c) return to baseline; (d) reinforcement for correct arithmetic work. It was found that reinforcing appropriate behaviour increased that behaviour, but produced little improvement in arithmetic performance. However, reinforcing arithmetic performance not only increased correct work, but resulted in a high rate of appropriate behaviour as well. The implications of these findings for the management of classroom behaviours were discussed.