School Psychologist

School Psychologist

The School Psychologist provides a full range of psychoeducational services to improve student outcomes in the school setting. They accomplish this by leading problem-solving efforts to support better student engagement and learning at the individual, classroom, and school level. School Psychologists work with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment. At times, they will work to help students resolve personal, emotional, and social problems that interfere with their adjustment to school and their ability to enjoy the full benefits of the education they receive. The School Psychologist may have assigned responsibilities for evaluation, consultation, and other services to students in pre-school through post-high school levels.

Minimum qualifications include a knowledge of federal and state special education laws and other legal aspects of the role of the School Psychologist. Demonstrated positive interpersonal relationships are required, as well as the ability to create a welcoming and positive classroom climate and culture. The School Psychologist must organize and manage the workload across the assigned school(s) to meet legal mandates and timelines. They should communicate and work at a high level of quality and proficiency with students, staff, and parents, verbally and in writing. Regular, in-person attendance during the school year is also required.

Essential duties and responsibilities include demonstrating knowledge and understanding of IDEA, ADA Section 504, and Michigan Special Education Law. An understanding of the rationale of testing, measurement, and skills in the administration of tests, including those that measure intelligence, achievement, adaptive behavior, and perceptual-motor skills is required. Comprehensive understanding of personality development and the assessment of human behavior is also necessary. Mastery of a broad understanding of learning and learning impairments is required. The School Psychologist provides school psychological services to any student in need, administers tests which may include intelligence, achievement, personality, adaptive behavior, and perceptual-motor tests, and collects necessary, relevant data through the demonstrated ability to administer/interpret/analyze standardized assessments.

The School Psychologist integrates data obtained from tests and from other sources of information, and has the ability to communicate these diagnostic findings to other professionals, parents, and pupils in a meaningful way. They effectively use data to inform evidence-based decision-making, assist in identifying at-risk students and targeting intervention supports to address their learning challenges, and assist with and lead the district's response to Crisis and Risk Assessments. They assist in the exploration, installation, and implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) by application of data-informed consultation and systems coaching. The School Psychologist collaborates in program planning and evaluation services for decision-making purposes, assesses the effects of instructional strategies, curriculum application, supportiveness of the learning environment, and disability related learning challenges, and provides support to assess the effectiveness of school-wide systems.

The School Psychologist designs response-to-intervention approaches that lead to effective instructional strategies and learning supports, conducts functional behavior assessments and develops behavior intervention plans that support effective student engagement, performs systematic direct observations of pupils, and works with school staff to develop and implement school-wide positive behavioral supports. They consult with parents and school staff to support student learning and behavior, collaborates with staff in planning educational intervention, curriculum, behavioral management, and teaching strategies, and consults, counsels, and collaborates with students, parents, school personnel, and appropriate outside personnel regarding mental health, behavioral, and educational concerns utilizing psychological principles.

Knowledge of computer technology necessary to implement computer applications for management, to understand technology's instructional value, and to develop the technological skills needed in the delivery of special education services is required. The School Psychologist adheres to NASP Principles of Professional Ethics, maintains a high level of confidentiality in working with student information, and complies with established documentation standards. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by the supervisor.