School Psychologist

Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Autism Consultant; Bilingual School Psychologist; Challenging Behavior Consultant; Early Intervention School Psychologist; Educational Diagnostician; School Neuropsychologist; School Psychometrist

Tasks

• Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
• Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
• Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
• Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
• Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.
• Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
• Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
• Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.
• Initiate and direct efforts to foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in school communities.
• Promote an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and behavior.
• Develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.
• Provide consultation to parents, teachers, administrators, and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques.
• Attend workshops, seminars, or professional meetings to remain informed of new developments in school psychology.
• Counsel children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.
• Serve as a resource to help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss.

Knowledge

• Psychology
• Therapy and Counseling
• Education and Training
• English Language
• Customer and Personal Service
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Law and Government
• Administrative
• Mathematics

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Near Vision
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Selective Attention