The American Academy of School Psychology Offers Promise for School Problems and `a Nation at Risk'

The national commission that did nation at report suggesting that our schools were failing seriously clearly indicated that the problems have to do with two things: (1) learning, and (2) human behavior. The American Academy of School Psychology have prepared the Diplomate in school psychology to help deals with these two problems. The single most promising person, to deal with the school failing problem is the Diplomate in school psychology. If we are to expect real change, he/she must be found in the office of every school superintendent, and with a personal presence at every Board of Education meeting where school policies are being formed. In 1983 when the first report came out reflecting nation at risk because of our school it was clear that the problem for such failures must be attributed largely to actions or a lack of actions by the school superintendent. As Voltaire once said, An institution is the lengthened shadow of one person. In our schools that person is always the school superintendent, the single person alone for the guidance of Board Members in the formulation of school policies, and then the implementation of policies adopted by the Board. Board members are typically lay persons; seldom possessing technical knowledge relating to the dynamics of technical learning and human behavior. The critical problem is that Board members are not aware of the potential role of the in school psychology, and school administrators often are no better informed. Ignorance, however, is no excuse to law; nor the failure to implement sound psychological principles in the implementing of the school policies. If, then, we are going to correct such failing policies (a nation at risk), it can only be done by an astute school administrator who provides the school boards with sound judgment in the formulation of the present school policies. Surely as day follows night, it is the school superintendent alone who is responsible for correcting the ills in our school programs; his/her failure can not be attributed to a lack or inadequate board policies. Basis of All School Problems are Two Fold In the final analysis the basis for all school problems have to do with two basic causes, and strange as it may seem, it does not mean math, science, reading and writing as such. But it is true that math, science, and reading are critical elements of the school curriculum, and important elements in the full development of all individuals. It does not mean an urgent and critical need for beautiful buildings; for Lincoln, one of our great presidents, learned in a log cabin besides a fire place, and without a teacher. Beautiful and functional buildings are important, and good teachers are highly essential in any effectively functioning school. However, always, the two basic elements in relation to effective learning are: 1. Learning problems and techniques, and 2. Human behavior of individuals involved. American Academy of School Psychology In 1995 The American Academy of School Psychology was founded to insure that select school psychologists were prepared to deal effectively with problems associated with learning and human behavior. This means that they have a doctoral degree from a recognized university, and have possessed the degree for two or more years, and then have passed a rigid examination to insure that they are qualified to deal effectively with problems associated with learning and human behavior. A diplomate in school psychology is the most valuable staff person for help in the formulation of school policies and the dealing with problems involved in their implementation. Not just a school psychologist, but a school psychologist that is boarded; not unlike all other specialists in the health care arena. The records clearly show that few schools in our nation have a in school psychology on their staff, and when they do, he/she is typically assigned to special education; where efforts are limited to the testing of children. …