School Psychologists
Human Services > Counseling & Mental Health ServicesProjected Growth: Much faster than average
Projected Job Openings
Extensive Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to Investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems.
Common job titles of School Psychologists include:
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Experience and Education
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
53.03% said they needed a Post-Master's Certificate.
46.42% said they needed a Master's Degree.
Tasks
Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.
Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
Counsel children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.
Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
Develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.
Promote an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and behavior.
Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
Initiate and direct efforts to foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in school communities.
Refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, or social services.
Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.
Provide consultation to parents, teachers, administrators, and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques.
Provide educational programs on topics such as classroom management, teaching strategies, or parenting skills.
Design classes and programs to meet the needs of special students.
Attend workshops, seminars, or professional meetings to remain informed of new developments in school psychology.
Serve as a resource to help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss.
Conduct research to generate new knowledge that can be used to address learning and behavior issues.
Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
Tools
Tablet computers
Personal digital assistants PDA
Personal computers
Overhead projectors
Multi-line telephone systems
Laptop computers
Desktop computers
All ToolsComputer scanners
Technologies
Centris Group IEP Direct
Centris Group RTIm Direct
Chalkware Education Solutions IEPPro
Email software
Ewing Solutions QuickWriter
Global Education Technologies EXCENT
Instructional software
All TechnologiesMediaNet Solutions e-IEP PRO
Oasys
PowerSchool Group PowerSchool SIS
Presentation software
Psychsoft !Observe
Smart Solutions IEP Anywhere
Spectrum K12 School Solutions Encore
SpED Forms
Spreadsheet software
SunGard Pentamation IEPplus
Technical Perspectives CLASS IEP Program
Test scoring software
Testing software
Vision Management Consulting IEP PlaNET
Xperts iep.online
Skills
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Abilities
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Comprehension
Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Expression
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Comprehension
Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Deductive Reasoning
Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Expression
Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Problem Sensitivity
Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Cognitive Abilities › Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities › Inductive Reasoning
Speak clearly so others can understand you.
Auditory and Speech Abilities › Sensory Abilities › Speech Clarity
Identify and understand the speech of another person.
Auditory and Speech Abilities › Sensory Abilities › Speech Recognition
Occupation Sections
Knowledge
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Sociology and Anthropology
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Clerical
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.