School Psychologists
Have you ever been bullied by your classmates? Did you know that bullying happens in schools all over the world? We're about to share some things you may not have heard before. In 2018, a statistic released by UNESCO revealed that a quarter of a billion children around the world experience bullying at school. Another study, recently conducted by the National Bullying Prevention Center in the United States, found that one in every 5 students in America is bullied. Bullying is a form of violence carried out by a child or group of children against another child - things like threats, spreading rumors, or physically or verbally attacking them. Most students experience bullying at some point, which is why every school has experts called "school psychologists," whose job is to help children cope with bullying. But their work doesn't stop there - they're also responsible for helping children, teens, and young adults with any problems they face, whether related to their academic performance or their social relationships with their families, teachers, and classmates.
Meet the Writer: Waleed Abo Omiraa
What You'll Actually Do
The core tasks and responsibilities that fill a typical day.
- Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
- Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
- Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
- Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
- Provide consultation to parents, teachers, administrators, and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques.
- Promote an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and behavior.
- Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.
- Counsel children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.
- Develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.
- Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
- Serve as a resource to help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss.
- Attend workshops, seminars, or professional meetings to remain informed of new developments in school psychology.
- Design classes and programs to meet the needs of special students.
- Refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, or social services.
- Initiate and direct efforts to foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in school communities.
- Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.
- Provide educational programs on topics such as classroom management, teaching strategies, or parenting skills.
- Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.