School engagement generally declines during adolescence and was reported to be worse in Chinese adolescents in rural areas compared to those in urban cities. Extensive studies have investigated the roles of perceived social support (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis article offers a summary, synthesis, and highlights of processes, surveys, summits, and discussions among members of the Society for the Study of School Psychology exploring current and historical perspectives as to a potential definition of school psychology research. After multiple revisions, the final definition is as follows: School psychology research is the systematic investigation of phenomena concerning the educational, emotional, behavioral, and social outcomes, as well as the school, family, and societal systems in which these outcomes are imbedded. It is principally concerned with socially responsive implementation and translating research into equitable practices that can lead to improved functioning of students, families, schools, and community systems that support educational and psychological services.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSchool climate is a topic of increasing importance internationally. The current study investigated the established measurement invariance of an eight-factor school climate scale using a multinational sample of secondary students. School climate factor means across 14 international groups were compared and findings on the association between school climate factors and mental health were also investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo advance cross-country understanding of parental perceptions of school climate, this study examined the psychometric properties of the Delaware School Climate Survey-Home version (DSCS-H) and also compared the parental perception of school climate among Chinese ( = 999) and American ( = 1,251) parents. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the DSCS-H was best supported by a second-order factor model in both samples and full measurement invariance across countries was evident. Comparison of overall school climate latent means revealed that American parents from elementary schools perceived a more positive overall school climate than did Chinese parents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis article provides reflections on several key elements important for establishing and sustaining successful research trajectories and scholarship within the field. Developed by several Lightner Witmer Award recipients, the article highlights several of Lightner Witmer's experiences and pioneering contributions, including the importance of his own mentors, collaborations with interdisciplinary professionals, and his emphasis on the relevance of scientific research programs and the practical implications for helping children. In an effort to move the field forward, we discuss important elements relevant to developing and sustaining successful research programs in school psychology including the importance of mentorship, collaboration, research methodologies, replicability, extramural funding, and dissemination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo advance our scientific understanding about school climate and bullying victimization from the perspectives of both parents and cross-country comparisons, the present study examined the cross-country similarities and differences of the associations between overall school climate and 3 forms of bullying victimization between United States (U.S.; N = 1,251) and Chinese (N = 999) parents across elementary, middle, and high schools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSchool Psychology is an outlet for research on children, youth, educators, and families that has scientific, practice, and policy implications. The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly disrupted K-12 schooling as well as university training, impacting educational attainment and highlighting longstanding inequality. Furthermore, the killing of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd has precipitated worldwide protests against antiblack racism, white supremacy, and police brutality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProvides a brief synthesis of the past, present, and forecast for the future of , highlighting important contributions as an international resource to enrich, invigorate, enhance, advance, and accelerate science, practice, and policy relevant to school psychology internationally. Information highlights (a) the important contributions of those who serve on the editorial board, (b) the value of high quality and timely reviews, (c) publishing manuscripts that address a breadth of important topics relevant to school psychology, (d) international contributions, (e) an overview of special topic sections that have been featured over the years, and (f) contemporary ratings and rankings of . The diversity of the topics and methods that are featured in the journal continues to reflect the breadth of knowledge and skills necessary to inform the contemporary field of school psychology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOver the past 3 decades, there has been an unprecedented increase in students identified as eligible for special education as a result of students meeting criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The increasing number of students with ASD in the schools presents significant challenges to teachers, school psychologists, and other school professionals working with this population. Although there is considerable research addressing assessment, identification, and support services for children with ASD, there is a need for further research focused on these topics within the school context.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhy is there a need to increase the racial/ethnic diversity of faculty in school psychology? Chiefly, school psychologists serve the most racially/ethnically diverse population: children in US schools. Therefore, developing a knowledge base that is inclusive of this wide range of perspective as well as growing a workforce that is reflective of this diversity is essential to effective service delivery. To achieve this goal, school psychology trainers must develop evidence-based, purposeful efforts to recruit and retain racial/ethnic minority students in doctoral programs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmigration into the United States is a particularly salient topic of current contemporary educational, social, and political discussions. The school-related needs of immigrant children and youth can be well served by rigorous research and effective school psychology preservice training and preparation. This overview highlights key definitions, demographic statistics, and current resources related to immigration in U.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe middle school transition is a salient developmental experience impacting adolescents around the world. This study employed a randomized-controlled treatment design, with randomization at the school level, to investigate the impact of a school adjustment program for middle school transition and potential gender differences. Participants included 1147 students (M = 9.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis editorial provides a brief synthesis of the past, present, and future of School Psychology Quarterly, highlighting important contributions as an international resource to enrich, invigorate, enhance, and advance science, practice, and policy relevant to school psychology around the globe. Information herein highlights (a) the value of high quality and timely reviews, (b) publishing manuscripts that address a breadth of important topics relevant to school psychology, and (c) the structure and contributions of the special topic sections featured in School Psychology Quarterly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTeacher quality has a vital influence on student success or failure. Thus, further research regarding teacher effectiveness, teacher evaluation, teacher well-being, and teacher contributions is essential to inform school psychologists and allied educational professionals who collaborate and consult with teachers to facilitate student success. In this special topic section of School Psychology Quarterly, a series of 6 articles further elucidate teachers' powerful contributions to student outcomes along with concrete, research-based ways for school psychologists to support and collaborate with teachers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInternationally renowned school and educational psychologist Thomas D. Oakland died tragically on March 4, 2015, at his home in Gainesville, Florida. Tom was born on November 23, 1939, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis special topic section features research regarding practices that will support mental health service delivery within a school-based multitiered framework. The articles include data and discussions regarding the evaluation of universal, targeted, or intensive intervention addressing mental health concerns and assessment tools intended for use in screening, progress monitoring, or problem identification. The featured interventions and assessment practices are suitable for use within a service delivery model that prioritizes ecological theory, data-based decision making, and problem solving logic.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A comprehensive understanding of the contextual factors that are linked to student engagement requires research that includes cross-cultural perspectives.
Aims: This study investigated how student engagement in school is associated with grade, gender, and contextual factors across 12 countries. It also investigated whether these associations vary across countries with different levels of individualism and socio-economic development.
Students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit chronic behavior difficulties that deleteriously impact their academic and social functioning in school settings. These difficulties not only impair student performance, but also present significant challenges to teachers, school psychologists, and other school professionals working with this population. Although a voluminous ADHD research literature is available to aid our understanding, studies specifically focused on school-based functioning, assessment, and intervention are underrepresented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExisting scholarship suggests that classroom practices, teacher attitudes, and the broader school environment play a critical role in understanding the rates of student reports of aggression, bullying, and victimization as well as correlated behaviors. A more accurate understanding of the nature, origins, maintenance, and prevalence of bullying and other aggressive behavior requires consideration of the broader social ecology of the school community. However, studies to date have predominantly been cross-sectional in nature, or have failed to reflect the social-ecological framework in their measurement or analytic approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of the present study was to develop a scale that is appropriate for use internationally to measure affective, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions of student engagement. Psychometric properties of this scale were examined with data of 3,420 students (7th, 8th, and 9th grade) from 12 countries (Austria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Romania, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States). The intraclass correlation of the full-scale scores of student engagement between countries revealed that it was appropriate to aggregate the data from the 12 countries for further analyses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis editorial provides a brief update related to the present and future of School Psychology Quarterly as an international resource to enhance and advance science, practice, and policy relevant to school psychology around the world. Information is presented regarding; (a) the breadth of important topics relevant to school psychology, (b) the international contributions, (c) the value of high quality and timely reviews, (d) the structure of and opportunity to contribute to special topic sections of School Psychology Quarterly, and (e) the importance of an international emphasis on children's rights and the relevance for school psychology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Convention on the Rights of the Child detailed an international imperative to fulfilling, protecting, and respecting the rights of every child. In particular, the Convention set out a clear mandate for guaranteeing opportunities for children to be heard on all matters of concern to them. The attainment of these goals involves respecting and valuing children as active participants in the educational process.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProgress monitoring is a type of formative assessment. Most work on progress monitoring in elementary school settings has been focused on students. However, teachers also can benefit from frequent evaluations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeveral states have proposed laws that urine drug screening be performed as a part of qualifying for public assistance. At least one state (Florida) has passed such a law, and several other states are considering similar laws. The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth created a committee to study laws and policies regarding the use of illegal drugs while pregnant.
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