The Role of the School Psychologist
The role of the School Psychologist is continually evolving. Psychologists must be flexible and have knowledge in many areas to be able to meet the needs of those they service. They need to be continuous thinkers, because the price is too high for mistakes. Students arrive in the school system every day with varying, ever-changing and diversified needs. School psychologists may have to play the role of assessor, counselor, communicator, advocate, and educational advisor all within a brief span of time. A successful School Psychologist is one that can effectively manage all of these roles and yet still be able to keep the child’s educational needs as the driving force in all decision making.
Communication is one of the key components in determining the role of School Psychologists. The School Psychologist must be able to communicate effectively with administrators, specialists, teachers, parents and students. The School Psychologist must also be able to establish a quick rapport with the parents and the child without the benefit of long-standing relationship. The School Psychologist is often times the parent’s first introduction into the confusing and sometimes frightening world of Exceptional Student Education. In this capacity the School Psychologist can determine if the families’ future educational experiences will carry a positive or a negative tone.
The role of the School Psychologist is also a critical one. The psychologist is a key player in the determination of a child’s educational placement. As an assessor, it is critical that the school psychologist be skilled in interpreting a wide variety of data. Knowledge of human development as it relates to learning is critical in understanding what’s best for a child’s educational placement. There are many pieces that go into unlocking a child’s “roadmap” to learning. The school psychologist must be able to see the child as a whole, while...