According to the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013), an substance use disorder (SUD) involves patterns of symptoms caused by using a substance that an individual continues taking despite its negative effects. Though there are 11 specific DSM-5 criteria for an SUD, they…

As schools continue to implement social-emotional learning programs, school psychologists should ensure these interventions are socially valid and promote effective outcomes for racially and ethnically minoritized youth. One study of how this can feasibly be done provides guidance for culturally adapting a program for Black youth.

Phasing out ineffective programs may free up resources for more effective alternatives and improve student outcomes. This review of the literature on the de-implementation process in schools includes a practical guide that can be used to ensure students receive the most effective services available. This framework can be applied to illustrate how…

Research has pointed to a critical need for primary prevention and intervention strategies. This has only been magnified since the COVID-19 pandemic and with the shortages of school-based mental health providers. Active Minds is a national organization dedicated to "changing the conversation about mental health" (Active Minds, n.d.-b) by…

This article summarizes Allen and Roberts's (2024) study on school psychologists' practices and perceptions regarding manifestation determination reviews (MDRs). It emphasizes the critical role of MDRs in protecting the rights of students with disabilities and highlights the challenges faced by school psychologists in this high-stakes process.

With the field's growing emphasis on social justice, school psychologists are increasingly aware of racism in schools and its impact on students. Through their practice and research, a community of school psychologists have raised awareness of inequities in education, leading many of them to regularly consider and work to reduce bias in their…

NASP's Annual Regional Leadership Meeting (RLM) brings together leaders for training and discussions about issues important to school psychology. For 2023, RLM for the first time included affinity groups as part of the implementation of NASP's equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) plan. This article will define affinity groups and describe the…

The Red Clay Consolidated School District is the largest public school district in the state of Delaware and serves more than 16,000 students in 15 elementary schools, six middle schools, five high schools, and two special education programs. The student population is 41% White, 29% Hispanic, 22% Black, 5% Asian, and 3% two or more races. Red Clay…

Collaboration between school and community service providers allows for positive outcomes for students across academic and social-emotional functioning. The emergence of the subspecialty field of pediatric school psychology highlights the need for consultation and collaboration between school professionals and medical providers and opens the…

School closures can occur not only during a pandemic, but also during disasters, which can impact students' social and emotional well-being and lead to detrimental behavioral outcomes and trauma-related symptomatology. Such negative impacts can potentially be alleviated by inclusion of effective virtual or blended SEL programming that supports…

Positive education can be broadly defined as the integration of traditional academics with building student character and well-being (Seligman, Ernst, Gillham, Reivich, & Linkins, 2009). More specifically, positive education examines the impact of interventions and programs on student well-being (White & Murray, 2015). Biennially, the…

With the aim of providing holistic approaches to education, social and emotional learning (SEL) has gained significant attention within school systems across the world. SEL has been defined as the process through which individuals understand and regulate emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy towards others, establish and…

In education, there is a history of pitting philosophy against science. In mathematics, a similar divide exists between evidence-based practice and philosophy-based practice. Philosophy-based practices are very prevalent in math and are not simply benignly ineffective tactics. The science of math is a movement that focuses on using objective…

Approaches to identify and support student social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) needs are necessary to the provision of school-based prevention and intervention services. Limited information exists, however, regarding the current use of SEB practices such as screening in schools. The purpose of The National Exploration of Emotional/Behavioral…

School vouchers are defined as certificates of government funding that are allocated to students and intended to defer the cost of tuition at a private school of the student or the student's parents' choice. With strong views on opposing sides, the issue of school choice and the corresponding use of vouchers has certainly been catapulted into the…