Despite research indicating evidence-based sexual health education results improved student outcomes, students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) do not typically receive sexual health education. While school psychologists possess skills that could contribute to sexual health education for students with I/DD, there is no…

The Red Clay Consolidated School District is the largest public school district in the state of Delaware and serves more than 16,000 students in 15 elementary schools, six middle schools, five high schools, and two special education programs. The student population is 41% White, 29% Hispanic, 22% Black, 5% Asian, and 3% two or more races. Red Clay…

This case study focuses on the role of school psychologists during the transition to and implementation of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) in a small, rural school district. It provides guidance to other school psychologists in similar rural districts on how to support a system-level change from the individual building level to the entire…

Over the past 75 years, the history of Division 16 (School Psychology) has been integral to the science and practice of school psychology. As a constituent body of the American Psychological Association (APA), the division has advocated for role definitions and professional boundaries within APA and has represented the specialty of school…

Social justice has been defined as fair and equitable distribution of resources, rights, representation, and treatment for marginalized people who do not possess equal power in society (Linnemeyer, Nilsson, Marszalek, & Khan, 2018). As a theoretical concept, social justice is an emergent area of inquiry in school psychology (Johnson, Bahr,…

Children in the foster care system and those experiencing international adoption face a host of risk factors that result in academic, behavioral, and emotional challenges. The purpose of this special issue is to provide school psychologists with the knowledge regarding current intervention strategies and programming to provide effective supports…

Despite recent socially positive progression in the view and treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in the USA, the LGBT population continues to face complicated circumstances and significant hindrances in many societal institutions. One of the most challenging and complex arena is the educational system (Biegel…

This document details seven guiding principles and recommends actions designed to advance equity and lower or remove individual and structural barriers to learning by creating school environments that: (1) promote wellness; and (2) effectively address the learning, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs of students. These…

The major national and international school psychology organizations hosted the 2012 School Psychology Futures Conference during the fall of 2012. The conference was designed to provide an opportunity for school psychologists to plan their future roles in better supporting children, families, and schools. The 2012 conference, titled "School…

The climate of acceptance of LGBTQ individuals is slowly improving in the United States, but many schools remain blind, biased, and unreservedly discriminatory toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. Educators have much work to do to make schools safe and affirming for all youth, including LGBTQ…

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…

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2014 as the premier international human rights treaty focused on childhood rights and protections. In this article, we briefly review the 41 substantive principles embodied in the 54 Articles of the Convention and stress the need for educators, and…

After-school programs (ASPs) are learning centers that provide enrichment opportunities after regular school hours. This article examines the value these programs can add to a child's educational day, especially for urban youth who are vulnerable during after-school hours. Quality ASPs can be part of the solution to help mitigate the effects of…

The Convention on the Rights of Child charges educators not only to respect children's rights but also to prepare children to develop as responsible citizens in a free society. The Convention enriches the perspective of school psychologists by emphasizing the need to respect children's rights while also promoting their competencies as political…

Suggests ways school psychologists may transform their historically defined roles through education training, assessment practices, and advocacy. Discusses the role school psychologists must play in working cooperatively and proactively with students and teachers in the everyday activities that constitute school life. (JDM)