Questions with Verified Answers
What best describes the difference between a social worker and a school psychologist?
- ANSWERSA social worker conducts no IQ or Achievement assessments, but a school
psychologist does
Requirements to be a school psychologist - ANSWERS- Have graduate training
-- Coursework and practical experiences relevant to both psychology and education
-- Specialist-level degree program (60 graduate semester hours) or a doctoral degree
- Hold a certificate to practice School Psychology
-- Must be credentialed in state in which you work
-- Can also be nationally certified
-- Don't have to work in a school but to work in a school, MUST have certificate
Psychologist - ANSWERSlegally protected you are licensed separate from school, work
in other settings like a hospital, private practice
School Psychologist - ANSWERSa certification, limited to just a school setting
Direct Services - ANSWERSassessment, testing, counseling, crisis intervention,
working one to one
Indirect Services - ANSWERSconsultation, program development, talking to the teacher
Assessment - ANSWERS• Primary role, very systematic
• Federal and state laws require assessments before students are placed in special
education
• Increase achievement by assessing barriers to learning and determining the best
instructional strategies to improve learning
• An ongoing process of data collection according to a problem-solving model
• Problem identification occurs first
• Multi-method, multi-informant, multi-source
, • Guided by theory
Consultation - ANSWERS• Collaborate with teachers to help them identify classroom-
based problems and implement data based interventions
• Support implementation of effective instruction and behavior management at the
classroom level
• Assist parents to develop skills to help their children succeed at home and in school
• Collaborate with the principal and other school personnel to identify systemic concerns
and promote systems-level change
Prevention - ANSWERS• Implement programs to build positive connections between
students and adults
• Support early identification of potential academic skill deficits and learning difficulties
• Design and implement programs for at-risk children
• Create safe, supportive learning environments
• Promote wellness and resilience by reinforcing communication and social skills,
problem solving, and self-regulation
• Enhance understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures. Foster tolerance and
appreciation of diversity
Intervention - ANSWERS• Work directly with children, teachers, administrators, and
families
• Develop individualized, classroom, and school-wide interventions for learning and
adjustment
• Design and implement crisis response plans
• Provide counseling, social skills training, and academic and behavioral interventions
• Develop strategies for modifying instruction to optimize student progress
Staff, parent and student education - ANSWERS• Teaching and learning strategies and
interventions
• Parenting and disciplining techniques
• Classroom and behavior management
• Working with exceptional students
• Strategies to address substance abuse, risky behaviors, or mental illness that affect
students
• Crisis prevention and response
Research and Program Development - ANSWERS• Recommend and implement
evidence-based programs
• Conduct school-based research to inform practice
• Evaluate effectiveness of programs and interventions independently and as part of a
school-based evaluation team
• Contribute to school-wide reform and restructuring
Mental Health Care - ANSWERS• Deliver school-based mental health services such as
group, individual, and crisis counseling