A Practical Guide to Building Professional Competencies in School Psychology

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Timothy M. Lionetti ● Edward P. SnyderRay W. ChristnerEditors

A Practical Guide to Building Professional Competencies in School Psychology

EditorsTimothy M. LionettiWalden University College of Social and Behavioral ScienceMinneapolis, MN 55401USAtimothy.lionetti@waldenu.edu

Edward P. SnyderEdinboro University of PennsylvaniaDepartment of Professional StudiesButterfield Hall 114Edinboro, PA 16444USAesnyder@edinboro.edu

Ray W. ChristnerCognitive Health Solutions, LLC1201 West Elm Avenue, Unit 2Hanover, PA 17331USArwc@cognitivehealthsolutions.com

ISBN 978-1-4419-6255-3 e-ISBN 978-1-4419-6257-7DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-6257-7Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010937770

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden.The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights.

Printed on acid-free paper

Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)

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Acknowledgments

Throughout the long journey of making this book come to fruition was the consistent and sustaining encouragement of my wife Juliann along with the understanding, patience and joy of my three children Spenser, Sondra and Anthony, for which I am most appreciative. I also wish to thank my parents, Mario and Lois, for their support that has been unwavering for decades. Finally, a special appreciation must be afforded to the authors who contributed to this text.

Timothy M. Lionetti

This book is dedicated to my wife, Nancy, and sons, Adam and Daniel. Thank you for the joy you provide on a daily basis. To my parents, Clarence and Virginia, thank you for your faith and support.

Edward P. Snyder

I want to thank my wife, Andrea, and my two girls, Alyssa and Sydney, who are the motivation behind all I do. Thank you for being so patient and understanding of my hectic schedule. Also, I am grateful for the support of my parents, Ray and Theresa, and my brother, Rich, who have always encouraged me to strive to reach my goals. Finally, I dedicate this book to a dear friend, Mia S., who helped me from a young age to understand the differences and strengths in others.

Ray W. Christner

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Contents

1 Developing and Enhancing Competencies in the Practice of School Psychology ......................................................................................................... 1Timothy M. Lionetti, Edward P. Snyder, Ray W. Christner, and Courtney L. McLaughlin

2 Applying Law and Ethics in Professional Practice ........................................................ 13Barbara Bole Williams and Leigh Armistead

3 Building Competency in Cross-Cultural School Psychology ........................................ 35Yuma I. Tomes

4 Managing Your Professional Practice as a School Psychologist ................................... 51Barbara A. Fischetti

5 Consulting with Families, Schools, and Communities ................................................... 69Edward P. Snyder, Kim Quirk, and Frank Dematteo

6 Assessing Students’ Skills Using a Nontraditional Approach ....................................... 83Christine E. Neddenriep, Brian C. Poncy, and Christopher H. Skinner

7 Assessing Student Skills Using Process-Oriented Approaches ..................................... 101Susan Clements, Ray W. Christner, Amy L. McLaughlin, and Jessica B. Bolton

8 Evaluating Students with Emotional and Behavioral Concerns................................... 121Barry L. McCurdy, Amanda L. Lannie, and Jennifer L. Jeffrey-Pearsall

9 Beyond Unproven Trends: Critically Evaluating School-Wide Programs .................. 141David N. Miller and Kristin D. Sawka-Miller

10 Advocating for Effective Instruction: School Psychologists as an Instructional Leader ............................................................................................... 155Brian C. Poncy, Elizabeth McCallum, and Christopher H. Skinner

11 Facilitating Mental Health Services in Schools: Universal, Selected, and Targeted Interventions .............................................................................................. 175Ray W. Christner, Rosemary B. Mennuti, Mary Heim, Kathrine Gipe, and Justin S. Rubenstein

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12 Preventing and Intervening in Crisis Situations ............................................................ 193Melissa A. Reeves, Amanda B. Nickerson, and Stephen E. Brock

13 Developing Competent Written and Oral Communication .......................................... 209Timothy M. Lionetti and Susan Perlis

14 Using Advancing Technologies in the Practice of School Psychology .......................... 227Dan Florell

15 Making a Career of School Psychology........................................................................... 245Leigh D. Armistead and Diane Smallwood

16 Monitoring Professional Competence in School Psychology ........................................ 263Edward P. Snyder, Timothy Lionetti, and Ray W. Christner

Index ........................................................................................................................................... 271

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Timothy M. Lionetti, Ph.D., is a full time faculty and the Coordinator of the School Psychology program at Walden University. Dr. Lionetti currently holds school psychology certification in Pennsylvania, and is a Licensed Psychologist in the same state. Dr. Lionetti earned his Doctorate degree in School Psychology from Lehigh University. He has contributed to the fields of psychology and education through multiple presentations and writings. Dr. Lionetti has presented at the national and state levels on a variety of topics, including improving student reading fluency, promoting physical activity in the schools and health promotion, and on recruiting school psychologists. Similarly, he has been published in scholarly journals on the same topics. His clinical and research interests include improving student reading, health promotion, effects of age on academic success, behavioral disorders, and the linking of the mental health and school systems. Lastly, Dr. Lionetti continues to work with children, schools, and families within the school and mental health systems and private practice using both direct and consultative services.

Edward P. Snyder, Ph.D., is Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Educational Psychology Program at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a certified school psychologist. Dr. Snyder earned his master’s degree and school psychology certification from Bucknell University and his Ph.D. in School Psychology from Lehigh University. He has experience as a school psychologist in rural and urban settings. In addition, Dr. Snyder has worked as a school psychologist in residential programs for children and adolescents with dual diagnoses, and he worked in an approved private school for children with emotional and behavioral disorders. He has published research articles related to involving students, who receive special education services, in leading their own Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Dr. Snyder has presented at national and state conferences. His research interests include assessment and treatment of students with behavior disorders, self-advocacy for student receiving special education services, and school violence pre-vention programs.

Ray W. Christner, Psy.D., NCSP, is Director of Cognitive Health Solutions, LLC in Hanover, Pennsylvania, where he provides psychological services to children, adolescents, families, and schools. He is also the consulting psychologist for the South Middleton School District, and he is a core faculty member at Walden University. Dr. Christner holds school psychology certifications from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the National School Psychology Certification Board. He further maintains licensure in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Psychologist and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Dr. Christner earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from PCOM, as well as a Masters of Science degree and certification in School Psychology from California University of Pennsylvania. He has contributed to the fields of psychology and education through multiple presentations and writings. Dr. Christner has presented in the USA and England on cognitive-behavior therapy, school-based crisis intervention, and school-based mental health. He is a coeditor of

About the Editors

x About the Editors

three books entitled, Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions for Educational Settings: A Handbook for Practice (with Drs. Rosemary Mennuti and Arthur Freeman), Handbook of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Groups with Children and Adolescents: Specific Settings and Presenting Problems (with Drs. Jessica Stewart and Arthur Freeman), and School-Based Mental Health: A Practitioner’s Guide to Comparative Practice (with Dr. Rosemary Mennuti). He was the founding editor of School Psychology Forum: Research in Practice, a peer-reviewed journal published by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Dr. Christner’s clinical and research interests include cognitive-behavioral interventions and treatments for various disorders and issues, process-oriented assessment, crisis inter-vention, school-based mental health services, and the training of psychologists and mental health professionals.

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Leigh D. Armistead Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733, USA

Jessica B. Bolton Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA

Stephen E. Brock California State University, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA

Ray W. Christner Cognitive Health Solutions, LLC, Unit 2, 1201 West Elm Avenue, Hanover, PA 17331, USA

Susan Clements Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA

Frank DeMatteo Marywood University, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509, USA

Babara A. Fischetti Westport Public Schools, Pupil Services Administration, 72 North Avenue, Westport, CT 06880, USA

Dan Florell Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 40475, USA

Kathrine Gipe Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Mary Heim Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Jennifer L. Jeffrey-Pearsall Devereux Center for Effective Schools, 2012 Renaissance Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA

Amanda L. Lannie Devereux Center for Effective Schools, 2012 Renaissance Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA

Contributors

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Timothy M. Lionetti College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA

Elizabeth McCallum Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA

Barry L. McCurdy Devereux Center for Effective Schools, 2012 Renaissance Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA

Amy L. McLaughlin Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA

Courtney L. McLaughlin Titusville Area School District, Titusville, PA, USA

Rosemary B. Mennuti Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

David N. Miller University of Albany, Albany, NY, USA

Christine E. Neddenriep The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI, USA

Amanda B. Nickerson University Of Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, ED 232, Albany, NY 12222, USA

Susan Perlis Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Brian C. Poncy Oklahoma State University, 420 Willard Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA

Kim Quirk Millcreek Township School District, 5300 Henderson Road, Erie, PA 16509, USA

Melissa A. Reeves Winthrop University, 135 Kinard Hall, Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29733, USA

Justin S. Rubenstein Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Kristin D. Sawka-Miller Siena College, Loudonville, NY, USA

Christopher H. Skinner University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Claxton Complex A-518, Knoxville, TN, USA

xiiiContributors

Diane Smallwood Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA

Edward P. Snyder Department of Professional Studies, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Butterfield Hall 114, Edinboro, PA 16444, USA

Yuma I. Tomes Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Barbara Bole Williams College of Education, Rowan University, Education Hall, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA

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