Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Bruce Brydges
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
behavior modification, confidence, effective functioning, elementary school, entry-level psychologists, evaluation techniques, guidelines, in-school suspension, mentors, multidisciplinary team, MDT, prevention, professional preparedness, role expansion, school district, school psychologists, supervision, training, workshop
Abstract
This practicum report was designed to increase the effective functioning of entry-level psychologists as members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) through a redefinition and expansion of the traditional role of the school psychologist. A workshop explaining the model was designed and presented to the school psychologists of the writer’s school district, and interviews were conducted individually with both entry-level school psychologists and their members.
The writer developed guidelines to be utilized for training psychologists and providing their mentors with an evaluation technique for supervising them as effectively functioning members of the MDT. This information was also presented to the local training institution.
Analysis of the data revealed that entry-level school psychologists reported that they were more comfortable and better prepared to approach their local MDTs as effective professionals. Having a clearly defined set of guidelines enhanced their confidence with the school psychologists role on the team. Their mentors were also more able to supervise them with uniform guidelines as a reference point.