 |
|
|
school psychology services
What is a school psychologist?
School Psychologists work with students, parents,
teachers and school administrators to test, evaluate,
counsel, observe, and assist in determining the special
needs of students who are experiencing school adjustment
problems.
Along with Principals, Teachers, ESE representatives,
and Social Workers, School Psychologists work to develop
and provide services that help ensure that all children
in our schools continue to make academic progress.
Whenever a child begins to struggle academically, a
School Psychologist is frequently consulted to help
figure out what is keeping the child from succeeding.
This process generally begins with the Child Study Team.
What is the Child Study Team?
The Child Study Team is a team consisting of
educational professionals from a variety of backgrounds.
These teams generally consist of, but are not limited
to, principals, teachers, ESE representatives, social
workers, and school psychologists. Whenever a student is
identified as having difficulties, a referral is made to
the Child Study Team. The team then meets and decides
what action needs to be taken in order to help the child
be more successful in the classroom.
Who makes the referral to the Child
Study Team?
Usually, the teacher makes the initial referral.
However, a parent also has the right to request that a
Child Study Team meet to discuss their child. However,
even if a teacher makes the first referral, a parent is
always invited to the Child Study Team meeting.
What happens once a Child Study Team
meets?
The first meeting with a Child Study Team is
generally referred to as a screening. This means that
the team is considering what the child's needs are at
this time. Often, one of two things happens. First, the
team may decide that a particular child could benefit
from home and/or classroom interventions that the parent
or teacher can try. If this is the case, everyone at the
team discusses what would be the best intervention for
the child in a regular education classroom.
The other possibility is that the team may decide
that they need more information about a child. If this
happens, a school psychologist may be asked to perform a
psychological assessment. In order for this to happen,
the parent first must give the psychologist approval to
conduct an evaluation. Without parental consent, a
psychologist cannot evaluate a child.
Though every assessment is different, during the
evaluation the school psychologist generally looks at
overall intelligence, academic knowledge, and the
ability to process information. Sometimes a school
psychologist may also be asked to look at attention
issues or emotional health. Other, less common areas of
concern may also be addressed, though these areas are
generally first discussed at the Child Study Team
meeting.
What happens after the school
psychologist tests a child?
After testing, a school psychologist puts all the
information together into a report. Sometimes, a school
psychologist may need additional information, and he or
she would ask a social worker to contact the parent in
order to gather social history information (e.g.,
developmental history, medical history, etc.). Once all
the information is gathered, the school psychologist
writes a report that includes relevant background
history, observations, test results and interpretations,
and recommendations. When the report is ready and
processed, the parent is invited to a second Child Study
Team meeting to go over the results. Any questions about
the report can be asked at this time, and the school
psychologist will do his or her best to make sure all of
the parent's questions are answered.
What happens after the school
psychologist talks about the report?
After all the information is presented, the Child
Study Team discusses how to best meet the child's
educational needs. Based on the psychological report, a
child may be eligible for exceptional student education
(ESE) services. The child may also be eligible for other
services as well. Even if a child does not meet
eligibility requirements, the Child Study Team considers
what strategies may best help a child to be successful
in class.
How long does this whole process
take?
The length of time an evaluation takes varies. It
depends on how many cases a school psychologist is
presently working on, the type of referral question
being asked, the child's attendance, as well as other
factors. Each school psychologist in Duval County tries
their best to ensure that every child we are asked to
work with is evaluated as quickly as possible.
What if I have questions or want to
talk to the psychologist before the next Child Study
Team meeting?
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to talk
to your school psychologist. Of course, we are often
busy working in the schools, and sometimes we can be a
bit hard to get a hold of. The best way to contact us is
usually to talk with your school guidance counselor.
They can get your message to us, and we will call you
back as soon as we are able!
Contact information:
Duval County Public Schools
Psychological Services, Fourth Floor
1701 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207
390-2084 |
|
|
