Chapter 11: Careers in Educational and School Psychology Slides PDF

Chapter 11: Careers in Educational and School Psychology Dr. Margaret Powell October 30, 2024 Housekeeping Submit graduate student Q&A questions Week 12 module  “Graduate Students Q&A” 60-second elevator pitch due today by 11:59 PM Upload to Youtube as an unlisted video...

Chapter 11: Careers in Educational and School Psychology Dr. Margaret Powell October 30, 2024 Housekeeping Submit graduate student Q&A questions Week 12 module  “Graduate Students Q&A” 60-second elevator pitch due today by 11:59 PM Upload to Youtube as an unlisted video Email myself, Jamion, and Mckenzie the link to your video Revised cover letters due next Wednesday, November 6th by 11:59 PM Make whatever corrections you were given during your original cover letter assignment  School Psychology… THE BEST SUBFIELD!!! Education School al Psycholog Psycholog y y  Defined by its focus on human learning Interested in: Teaching/instructional side of education Education al Learning side of education Psycholog Psychologists are theorists and researchers y Seek to generate new knowledge to address various psychological factors at work in the educational process  Current Research Topics: Factors in student learning Motivation, intelligence, study habits, organization, perseverance, response to success or failure Education al Impact of environmental variables Psycholog Student-teacher ratios, class composition, y classroom management Aspects of instructional methods Learning outcomes, teaching materials, curricula, assessment methods, use of technology and media  Focus on assisting students who have particular needs within the schooling process School psychologists: Work to improve students’ well-being Address developmental, emotional, social, School and academic problems that interfere with Psycholog y education Are often practitioners who provide direct services (rather than researchers) School psychology differs from school counseling or guidance counseling  Developed out of applied work of clinical and counseling psychology and the focus of educational psychology Federal legislation led to special education in public school systems School Required schools to respond to the needs of Psycholog students with disabilities y A catalyst for the growth of school psychology Number of school psychologists doubled between 1970 and 1980 Doubled again between 1980 and early 1990s  Current Research Topics: Many focus on factors that contribute to student difficulties Adjusting to school School Academic achievement Psycholog y Mental health Substance abuse Social relationships Life stress  Single biggest issue addressed by school psychologists: Students with special needs Physical, emotional, and learning disabilities School School psychologists: Psycholog Assess these students y Coordinate special education programs to assist these students Consult with teachers and administrators Managing classroom behavior Structuring school environments The Work of Educational and School Psychologists Core Activities Assessment and Program Consultatio Teaching Research Intervention Evaluation n and Training s  Educational psychologists generally pursue research careers Evaluate methods of instruction and learning Develop new instructional techniques Influence theories and approaches to the learning process Research School psychologists generally pursue applied careers Create new techniques of assessment Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions Investigate the nature of student difficulties  Educational Psychologists Conduct assessments focused on Assessment and educational programs or large Intervention s components of them (see Program Evaluation) Typically do not engage in direct interventions in educational settings  School Psychologists Conduct assessments at the individual level Evaluate students’ academic, social, emotional, and/or physical difficulties Determine if a child requires special services May assess intellectual abilities, aptitudes for Assessment and learning, achievement, social and emotional Intervention functioning, mental health status s Interventions include: Counseling students struggling with academic, social, emotional, and family problems Creating behavioral management plans Delivering workshops and courses to groups of students Intervening during a crisis  Educational Psychologists More likely to conduct program evaluations at a program level Investigate the nature of instructional and learning programs Program Determine programs’ effectiveness Evaluation School Psychologists May conduct program evaluations when working as administrators at district or state level Evaluate effectiveness of special education or behavior management programs  Educational Psychologists Often provide consultation on products and services for: Schools Businesses with education and training centers Companies that develop educational materials Help organizations understand what is effective in the design and delivery of instructional information and the Consultatio learning process n School Psychologists Often involves collaborating with other professions about a student’s difficulties and recommended interventions Find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems Strengthen working relationships among important figures in child’s life Consult with educational staff to prevent student difficulties E.g., programs for bullying, substance abuse, etc.  Often engaged in teaching and training others Serve as faculty in graduate programs that train future educational and school Teaching psychologists and Training Teach and train education professionals who make decisions about educational practices and work directly with students  Settings Educational Psychologists Academic settings (e.g., 67% universities) School and educational 31% settings (e.g., public/private schools)  Settings School Psychologists School and educational 61% settings (e.g., public/private schools) Academic settings (e.g., 23% universities) Salaries Educational Psychologists $75,000 median salary School Psychologists $78,200 median salary Faculty in higher education $65,000 median new assistant professor salary $99,268 median full professor salary Employment Issues: Educational Psychologists Evaluation and development of new programs and instructional techniques relies on funding As funding sources change, feasibility of work also changes If working in school settings or providing direct services, pressure to implement procedures that produce positive results Influence of technology on instructional and learning methods Tech has changed the way information is presented and consumed Requires shifts in research to study how tech is Employment Issues: School Psychologists Many activities are tied to funding Some schools attempt to save money be expanding caseloads of school psychologists May feel isolated from fellow professionals Providers often shared across several schools Less populated areas may share one provider across an entire county Training and Preparation Degree Options Educational Psychologists Doctorate School Psychologists Master's Specialist Doctorate Training Programs Educational Psychology School Psychology School Psychology Doctoral Programs Doctoral Programs Specialist Programs Differ in their titles Adhere to scientist-practitioner Normally 3 years of full-time Learning and motivation or applied professional training graduate study Instructional psychology and model Includes at least 60 credit hours technology Much in common with clinical One-year, full-time internship Evaluation and measurement and counseling subfields Viewed as general practice specialties Trained in applied techniques and interventions Earning a Degree: Educational Psychology Doctorate Formal coursework Emphasizes training in research, and sometimes, applied intervention As students advance, less coursework and more supervised experience and independent study Earning a Degree: School Psychology Specialist or doctorate Formal coursework Emphasizes training in applied endeavors and, often, research As students advance, less coursework and more supervised experience and independent study Preparing for Your Graduate Training: Coursework Within Psychology Child/Adolescent Psychology Developmental Psychology Educational Psychology Learning and Behavior Principles of Psychological Testing Research Methods School Psychology Preparing for Your Graduate Training: Course Areas Outside of Psychology Child Welfare Education (Curriculum, Instruction, Policy) Statistics Preparing for Your Graduate Training: Activities For programs with greater research emphasis: Strengthen research skills Seek research experiences For programs with greater applied emphasis: Seek direct experience with students in educational settings May be easier to find general experience in school systems working with students  Working in Related Areas with a Bachelor’s Degree Securing employment related to educational or school psychology will depend on: Gaining relevant experience as an undergraduate Identifying positions for which you qualify Effectively conveying your knowledge and skills to employers Common options: Human/social service specialists Teachers  Varied careers Case manager, patient representative, coordinator, consultant, etc. Often a liaison between clients and service agencies Positions typically in state and county Human/Social government and nonprofits Service Many deal directly with children Specialists Can include children’s education and access to educational resources Median salaries $35,060 for social and human service assistants $43,790 for community and social service specialists  Work closely with students, parents, and other school staff Support education and overall well-being of students Put educational research and theory into practice Teache Do not directly provide counseling, intervention, rs or assessment services However, play a vital role in supporting such services Median salary $59,670 for elementary school teachers