School Psychology Services


Certified School Psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning and behavior to help students succeed socially, academically, behaviorally and emotionally.

School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators and other professionals to create safe, healthy and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school and the community. School Psychologists are classified as School-Based Mental Health Professionals who “provide mental health services to children and adolescents” as defined by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Sec. 4102. 

Areas of Knowledge, Training & Specialization

Certified School Psychologists have training and knowledge that aligns with the NASP Model of Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services, also known as the Practice Model. The Practice Model indicates 10 Domains of Professional Practice. Graduate preparation training includes knowledge and skills in:

Data Collection & Analysis

Assessment

Progress Monitoring

School-wide practices to promote learning

Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

Resilience & Risk Factors

Consultation & Collaboration

Academic/Learning Interventions

Mental Health Interventions

Behavioral Interventions

Instructional Support

Prevention & Intervention Services

Special Education Services

Crisis Preparedness, Response & Recovery

Family-School-Community Collaboration

Diversity in Development & Learning

Research & Program Evaluation

Professional Ethics, School Law & Systems

Who We Serve

Oklahoma school psychologists work with ALL students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members to improve academic achievement, promote positive behavior, increase access to mental health services, and support and advocate for diverse learners. 

They help to create safe schools through multi-tiered systems of support and improving school climate. They help to strengthen the partnership between home and school. School psychologists use data and assessments to monitor student progress and work with teachers on best-practice interventions to improve academics and behavior.

The national recommended school psychologist-to-student ratio is 1:500.
Oklahoma’s current ratio is 1:5,251

 

How School Psychologists Help Students
 

Focus Areas Oklahoma-Specific Examples

Improving Academic Achievement

Guide implementation of academic response-to-intervention process

Provide staff training on effective academic interventions

Utilize data to support administrators in curricular decision-making

Promoting Positive Behavioral & Mental Health Support

Guide implementation of behavioral response-to-intervention process

Provide individual & group counseling or social skills instruction

Facilitate referrals to community-based providers when needed

Supporting Diverse Learners

Promote safe, welcoming learning environments for ALL students

Provide equitable & culturally responsive services

Address racial/ethnic disproportionality in discipline & special education

Creating Safe & Positive School Climates

Advocate for best-practice crisis management & violence prevention

Ensure students have access to supports they need to be successful

Guide implementation of school-wide positive behavior supports

Strengthening Family-School Partnerships

Support communication & coordination across home and school

Include parents when planning efforts to improve student outcomes

Value parents as important stakeholders in the special education process

Improving School-Wide Assessment & Accountability

Facilitate collection & evaluation of school-wide data to assess needs

Regularly evaluate effectiveness of positive interventions & supports

Use expertise in program evaluation to monitor school-wide systems

 

How to Become a Certified School Psychologist

Additional Resources

References

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Last updated on August 24, 2021