The 2012-2013 school year represents a pivotal juncture for DC Public Schools. Last spring, Mayor Gray and Chancellor Kaya Henderson introduced "A Capital Commitment," their ambitious plan to dramatically accelerate student achievement in the district over the next five years by providing all of their students with a safe, academically…

The ultimate outcome of this work is to support students, families, and educators (includes all school members who collectively support students) during the transitions back to school during and following the global pandemic in a manner that prioritizes their health and safety, social and emotional needs, and behavioral and academic growth. This…

The goal of this practice guide is to formulate specific and coherent evidence-based recommendations that educators can use to improve literacy levels among adolescents in upper elementary, middle, and high schools. The target audience is teachers and other school personnel with direct contact with students, such as coaches, counselors, and…

The study assessed job satisfaction among school psychologists in public schools. Analysis of completed surveys determined that most respondents were satisfied with their current jobs. Participants expressed dissatisfaction with advancement opportunities and school system policies and practices. Job satisfaction could be predicted by age and…

This publication provides examples that illustrate how school psychologists might use graphs to improve communication of their perceptions, data, and understanding of clients' behavior to parents and students, and to other educators. The booklet is divided into two parts. Part I presents 15 graphs which were sent to school psychologists in Iowa…

This paper describes a group counseling model for bereaved adolescents, which was designed to enhance awareness of grief issues among adolescents and to provide guidelines for addressing those needs in a group setting. The decision to develop a support group for bereaved students is reviewed and the steps taken by a Fairfax County, Virginia…

The Minnesota Heart Health Program is described as an example of a health promotion program partially implemented through the schools. The potential roles for the school psychologist in designing and initiating health consultation programs are addressed at several levels from individual consultation with students to multi-staged intervention…

Depression is considered a significant affective disorder in children and adolescents. This article provides school psychologists with information concerning the current status of depression in this population. Epidemiological data on depression is provided with phenomenology and diagnostic criteria, review of assessment measures, and…

Children and adolescents with recurrent somatic complaints represent some of the most complex school health-related problems encountered by school officials and physicians. These complaints account for missed days and are often the primary reason for prolonged absences. A collaborative approach involving a school psychologist and physician team is…

Methods are described to develop and maintain close relationships between school psychologists and health care professionals in a school setting. The roles of school psychologists employed in medical settings to work in tandem with physicians are examined, along with implications for training. (Author/DWH)

Behavioral and cognitive behavioral stress management interventions aimed at school-related stress for students and teachers are reviewed. Schools may be sources of stress because they provide a context in which performance and relationship demands are made. School psychological services may promote the emotional and physical health of…

This guide describes what constitutes a quality school guidance program, which provides equal opportunities for all students to receive guidance and counseling. It states that this developmental guidance and counseling program can play a vital role in assisting teachers and other staff in the integration of guidance objectives with their other…

These six guides on identifying and assisting the gifted school-age child are specifically addressed to either clinical social workers, school social workers, school counselors, nurses, physicians, and psychologists. Each leaflet examines the role of the target professional in providing assistance to gifted children. For example, the social…

This book provides adolescents the information and skills they need to deal with dating and their awakening sexuality. It offers students in middle school, high school, and college an opportunity to examine and discuss their own feelings, attitudes, and behaviors as they relate to relationships. To allow facilitators in family life education…

This manual was written to help schools address the problem of youth suicide. The introduction presents a teenager's and a parent's perspective of youth suicide, discusses the problem of youth suicide, and develops a hypothesis of why the problem exists. Section 1 describes the contributing factors involved with adolescent suicide and provides…