Abstract
Understanding the existing discrepancy between school psychologist engagement in systems-level consultation and the ascribed importance of such practice is likely multifaceted. Barriers, such as time spent in assessment, limited training in consultation, and high caseloads, are known to reduce the possibilities and opportunities for school psychologist participation in systems-level consultation as discussed by Barrett et al. 2017 and Curtis et al. (2012). An underexplored potential barrier to increased school psychologist involvement in more consultative activities, especially at the systems-level, may be resistance from school administrators, such as principals, to offer and engage school psychologists in consultative opportunities. The present study sought to explore principal perceptions of school psychologist preparedness for and engagement in systems-level consultation. Results of this study suggest principals may not perceive school psychologists as having the necessary knowledge and skills to provide systems-level consultation. Additionally, a principal’s knowledge about systems-level consultation and school psychologist accessibility were found to significantly influence how often principals provided school psychologists with systems-level consultation opportunities. Results of this study may aid school psychology training programs in preparing future systems-level consultants and help current school psychologists interested in expanding their roles by entering into systems-level activities.
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School Principal’s Perspectives on School Psychologists as Systems-Level Consultants
Thank you for your willingness to participate in a research study about school psychologists’ preparedness for and engagement in systems-level consultation.
You are being invited to participate in a research study about school psychologists’ preparedness for and engagement in systems-level consultation. This study is being conducted by Brandon Wood, doctoral candidate, and Dr. Eric Hampton, Professor, from the Department of Communication Disorders and Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology at Indiana State University. The study is being conducted as part of a graduate student dissertation.
You were selected as a possible participant in this study because you are currently serving as a school principal in the state of Indiana.
There are no known risks if you decide to participate in this research study. There are no costs to you for participating in the study. The information you provide will lead to a better understanding of the skills and competencies that are needed in order for school psychologists to provide consultation at a school level and principals’ preferences for their assistance in schoolwide programming and improvement. The questionnaire will take about 20 minutes to complete. The information collected may not benefit you directly, but the information learned in this study should provide more general benefits.
This survey is anonymous. You will not be asked to provide your name. Your IP address will not be collected, further protecting your anonymity. Despite not collecting the IP addresses of all participants, anonymity cannot be guaranteed over the Internet. However, no one will be able to identify you or your answers, and no one will know whether or not you participated in the study. Individuals from the Institutional Review Board may inspect these records. Should the data be published, no individual information will be disclosed.
Your participation in this study is voluntary. By clicking yes below, you are voluntarily agreeing to participate. You are free to decline to answer any particular question you do not wish to answer for any reason.
If you have any questions about the study, please contact Brandon Wood by phone at 513-349-5754 or email at bwood15@sycamores.indstate.edu or Dr. Eric Hampton by email at Eric.Hampton@indstate.edu.
If you have any questions about your rights as a research subject or if you feel you have been placed at risk, you may contact the Indiana State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) by mail at Indiana State University, Office of Sponsored Programs, Terre Haute, IN, 47809, by phone at (812) 237-8217, or by e-mail at irb@indstate.edu.
IRBNet #: 1090972-1Approved Date: September 24, 2017Expiration Date:Indiana State University Institutional Review Board
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Wood, B.J., Hampton, E. An Initial Investigation of School Principal Perspectives on School Psychologists as Systems-Level Consultants. Contemp School Psychol 26, 173–181 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40688-020-00303-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40688-020-00303-y