A school leadership team is an opportunity for school counselors to demonstrate their capacity as school leaders and implement their training in using data to identify evidence-based interventions and evaluate the effectiveness of chosen interventions. We share a case study of how we utilized a school leadership team to better meet the needs of…

School psychologists have long been regarded for their expertise in the assessment, evaluation, and delivery of mental and behavioral health services for children in schools. Given the growing attention to school safety, crisis prevention, and crisis intervention, school psychologists are also increasingly called upon to assist with systems-level…

Children with serious emotional and behavioral problems often present challenges that far exceed what seems to be manageable. Despite the best intentions and efforts, youth move through multiple failed services because of the lack of progress, the "failure to adjust," and a presumed need for a higher level of care. Renewing Our…

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, CT (USA) has brought the conversation about how to reduce violence, make schools safer, improve school climate, and increase access to mental health services to the forefront of the national conversation. Advocating for comprehensive initiatives to address school safety, school climate, and…

To stem the tide of students dropping out, many schools and districts are turning to early warning systems (EWS) that signal whether a student is at risk of not graduating from high school. While some research exists about establishing these systems, there is little information about the actual implementation strategies that are being used across…

Alternative school placement continues to be a final option for many students who have experienced ongoing academic and behavioral difficulties. As the majority of these students tend to be at-risk for school failure and truancy, it is critical that during alternative school placement opportunities are afforded to reconnect or engage these youth.…

Presents an approach to family therapy where a group of observers becomes part of a therapeutic team by introducing strategic messages into the sessions. Messages are described in terms of five components: function, target, timing, content, and delivery. Suggests guidelines for effective team functioning and discusses implications for training.…

This article focuses on team building as a consulting intervention designed to influence the learning environment. The purposes of teaming are facilitating problem solving; maximizing the utilization of skills, competencies, interests, and resources toward organizational goals; improving the planning and decision-making process; and providing a…

The role of the school psychologist in assessing communication skills of students with severe disabilities is explored, and the psychologist's role as educational team leader in interventions is discussed. A contextual assessment procedure is recommended for its practical value to direct service providers. (SLD)