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Contractual school psychological services: Prevalence and practices
Author(s) -
Brown Michael B.,
Gibson Ron L.,
Bolen Larry M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
psychology in the schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1520-6807
pISSN - 0033-3085
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6807(200007)37:4<339::aid-pits4>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - coursework , credential , school psychology , psychology , license , medical education , documentation , service (business) , service provider , certification , business , pedagogy , medicine , political science , marketing , law , computer science , programming language
This study investigated the prevalence and practices of contract school psychological services in public schools. A survey was sent to all 121 school districts in a southeastern state, with 111 surveys completed for a response rate of 92%. Results indicated that most school districts did not believe that contracting is cost effective. The primary service provided by contractual service providers was triennial reevaluations. The administrator most often charged with the hiring and supervision of contract providers was not a school psychologist. The credential most often required of a contracting psychologist was a State Board of Psychology license, with only a few requiring documentation of relevant coursework or experience. The results of this study indicated that the most pressing concern for the profession of school psychology regarding contractual services is ensuring that contract services are provided and monitored according to appropriate standards of practice. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.