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What is a School Psychologist?

School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams who support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. We have expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, and we use this expertise to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally.  Working together with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals, school psychologists help to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.

Why Do Children Need School Psychologists?
​All children and youth can face problems from time to time related to learning; social relationships; making difficult decisions; or managing emotions such as feeling depressed, anxious, worried, or isolated. School psychologists help students, families, educators, and members of the community understand and resolve both long-term, chronic problems and short-term issues that students may face. They are a highly skilled and ready resource in the effort to ensure that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and in life.

How Do I Contact a School Psychologist?
​
Every school has access to the services of a school psychologist, although some school psychologists serve two or more schools so may not be at a particular school every day.

​To find the school psychologist assigned to a particular MCPS school, click here.

What Do School Psychologists Do?

​School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors or school social workers) to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. They help schools successfully:

​Improve Academic Achievement

​Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health

​Promote student motivation and engagement
Conduct psychological & academic assessments
​Individualize instruction and interventions
Manage student & classroom behavior
Monitor student progress
Collect & interpret student & classroom data
Work to reduce inappropriate referrals to special education.
Improve students' communication & social skills
Assess student emotional/behavioral needs
Provide individual & group counseling
Promote problem solving, anger management & conflict resolution
Reinforce positive coping skills & resilience
Promote positive peer relationships & social problem solving
Make referrals to & help coordinate community services provided in schools

Support Diverse Learners

Assess diverse learning needs
Provide culturally responsive services to students & families from diverse backgrounds
Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities
Modify & adapt curricula & instruction
Adjust classroom facilities & routines to improve student engagement and learning
Monitor & effectively communicate with parents about student progress

​Create Safe, Positive School Climates

​Prevent bullying and other forms of violence
Support social-emotional learning
Assess school climate and improve school connectedness
Implement and promote positive discipline and restorative justice
Implement school-wide positive behavioral supports
Identify at risk students and school vulnerabilities
Provide crisis prevention and intervention services

Strengthen Family-School Partnerships

​Help families understand their child's learning & mental health needs
Assist in navigating the special education processes
Connect families with community service providers when necessary
Help effectively engage families with teachers & other school staff
Enhance staff understanding & responsiveness to diverse cultures & backgrounds
Help students transition between school & community learning environments

​Improve School-Wide Assessment and Accountability, Monitor Individual Student Progress in Academics and Behavior

​Generate and interpret useful student and school outcome data
Collect and analyze data on risk and protective factors related to student outcomes
Plan services at the district, building, classroom, and individual levels

Adapted from the National Association of School Psychologists (www.nasponline.org)
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  • Home
  • Who are we?
  • Events
  • Executive Board
  • Resources
    • Local Providers
    • Informational Resources
    • MCPS Clusters
    • MCPS School Psychologist Directory
  • Contact Us
  • Members
    • Diversity & Social Justice
    • Member Information >
      • MCSPA Constitution
      • Member Dues
      • T-Shirts
    • Member Directory
    • MCSPA Calendar
    • Social Committee
    • MCSPA Newsletter: The Psych Report >
      • Fun Facts
      • Member Spotlight
      • MCSPA Newsletter Archive (2013-2017)
    • Psych Resources
    • Nomination Committee >
      • School Psych of the Year
      • MCSPA Elections
      • MCEA Elections
    • Downloadable Resources & Materials
    • MCSPA Meeting Notes
    • JCCPS
    • Archived Accomplishments
    • Website Management