Missouri Association of School Psychologists

MASP is affiliated with the
National Association of School Psychologists.

A Brief for Educational Leadership

The Need

As we begin the 21^st century, the United States and the State of Missouri are undergoing tremendous social, economic, and emotional changes. Emerging trends toward providing increased accountability and expanded services to children with and without identified disabilities, such as the Missouri Assessment Program and The No Child Left Behind Act, continue to emphasize the need for School Psychologists and their expertise. New problems regarding fear of terrorism, as well as continuing struggles with violence in the home, schools, and community, divorce, homelessness, teen suicide, substance abuse, and teen pregnancy must be addressed by trained professionals in order for children to be able to learn while at school. The Missouri Association of School Psychologists (MASP) believes that School Psychologists are well suited to address these problems.

What is School Psychology?

School Psychologists receive specialized training in both psychology and education that provides the unique ability to work within the schools, as well as collaboratively with community agencies, to address children’s needs. They make use of their knowledge of psychology, child and adolescent development, and educational research to help confront many problems encountered by children, teachers, parents, and communities.

Areas in which school psychologists provide expertise are:

Prevention such as identifying potential learning difficulties and designing programs for children at-risk for academic and behavioral difficulties.
Intervention such as individual academic planning, conflict resolution, social skills training, individual and group counseling, behavior management, crisis intervention (at individual, family, and school level).
Consultation with educators, parents, administrators, and community professionals to address problems and provide effective alternatives in learning (e.g., differential instruction for slow learners), development, and behavior of children.
Health Care Provision includes collaboration with school and community-based professionals to provide comprehensive, integrated services that focus on psychosocial wellness and health-related issues.
Assessment of children’s cognitive and psychoeducational needs using a wide variety of techniques at individual, group, and systems levels to evaluate academic skills, learning aptitudes, personality and emotional development, and eligibility for special education and gifted programs.
Education by providing workshops for parents and educators on topics such as emotional disorders, teaching and learning strategies, behavioral management techniques, and other areas of expertise.
Research and Planning including evaluation of the effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management systems, and other services as well as contributing to planning and evaluating school-wide reform and restructuring (e.g., curriculum based measurement).

A Response

In response to the growing needs of children, parents, educators, and communities, MASP believes that our training in both education and psychology uniquely qualifies school psychologists to (1) collaborate with educators in working with at risk populations, (2) utilize their training in the diagnosis and intervention of mental health and educational disorders as they manifest in the school setting, and (3) work in partnership with agencies outside of the school system for the benefit of children and families.

It is MASP’s position that, with certified school psychologists in each school district or cooperative, the educational, emotional, and behavioral challenges of children and adolescents will be addressed in a manner that will allow all students to obtain greatest benefit from their educational experience.

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