School psychology practice is evolving toward embracing inclusive education as a barrier-removing process. This transition emphasizes equity and collaboration, shifting from conventional individual-focused approaches to a broader ecological framework. In this study, within Portugal's inclusive education framework, we examined the perceived…

Religion and spirituality (RS) are distinct, often overlapping constructs that are deeply meaningful to many people in the United States. In this conceptual review, the importance of RS in school psychology is highlighted based on the Culturally Responsible Dual Factor Model of mental health, which emphasizes well-being along with symptom…

Down syndrome is one of the leading causes of intellectual disability, and individuals with Down syndrome experience various health issues including learning and memory deficits, congenital heart diseases, Alzheimer's or other dementias, leukemia, cancers, and Hirschsprung disease. School psychologists have a vital role in the success of students…

School psychology is at a critical juncture where thoughtful, strategic, and collaborative strategies to remedy shortages must become a focus for all, no matter what setting or role. Successful initiatives exist in school districts, states, and other professions. Valuable lessons can be drawn from others regarding effective strategies that could…

Within classrooms and school settings, school psychologists are positioned to make significant impact through providing education and advocacy around the practices that support equity-centered, trauma-informed care. This article explores how school psychologists and other school-based professionals can advocate for youth who have been exposed to…

Understanding the existing discrepancy between school psychologist engagement in systems-level consultation and the ascribed importance of such practice is likely multifaceted. Barriers, such as time spent in assessment, limited training in consultation, and high caseloads, are known to reduce the possibilities and opportunities for school…

This paper locates the educational psychologist's (EP) involvement in addressing social justice in practice. It uses some philosophical ideas from Jacques Rancière, particularly the idea of the distribution of the sensible and dissensus, to help us question how systems that are aimed at contributing to a socially just society can limit social…

In this article, the author shares suggestions for making the first-year school psychologist's journey easier based on what she has learned, and to provide hope for those feeling overwhelmed by deadlines and demands, by an urgency to meet children's needs, and by the need to resolve the difference between best practices in school psychology and…

School psychologists often have reason to suspect that students may not be putting forth full effort during diagnostic tests, or that questionnaire or rating scale data are not credible. However, such suspicions must be tested carefully to yield data-based conclusions. Structured, empirically supported methods for assessing the "response…

Racial disproportionality in special education reflects the manifestation of modern-day segregation in our education systems (Anyon, 2009; Artiles et al., 2016; Artiles, 2022). Due to their specialized training and positionality as key stakeholders in special education eligibility processes, school psychologists are uniquely suited to impact…

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Social Justice Committee's annual theme is "Supporting SOGD Youth: Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity." This is the first article in a two-part series reviewing key terminology and ways to support and advocate for youth with SOGD identities, with a focus on sexual and…

Many countries rely on statements issued by professional associations to delimit the scope of school psychological practice. It is, however, not always clear to what extent these statements match current practices and school psychologists' self-perception of their professional role, as empirical data is often unavailable or limited. This study…

It's crucial to boost future educational psychologists' readiness in project-based competencies, as current training often neglects psychological resources, highlighting the need for enhanced project support in Pedagogy and Psychology education. The paper aims to enhance understanding of psychologist professional development by specifying the…

Increased attention has been given the safety of students and school staff members following highly publicized acts of violence within schools, including the mass shootings at Robb Elementary School in 2022, Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, and Columbine High School in 1999. In response to these tragic events, schools have implemented various…

Over the past few decades, the prevalence and adverse impact of trauma on children have been widely researched and documented. Trauma exposure in children has been associated with long-lasting and detrimental outcomes in childhood and into adulthood, causing disruptions and impairments in their cognitive, social-emotional, mental health, and…