System approaches to school psychology (or why school psychologists shouldn’t see kids)

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (01) ◽  
pp. 100-106
Author(s):  
Paul Russell
Keyword(s):  
School Psychologists ◽  
School Change ◽  
Parental Expectations ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Direct Service ◽  
Whole School ◽  
School Based ◽  
Effective Change ◽  
Systemic Model ◽  
System Approaches

AbstractIn a world where the only constant is change, schools are faced with the need to adapt creatively to changing societal demands, parental expectations, and children with increasingly diverse needs. Lasting and effective change can only occur with systemic and organisational change, and this essay argues that school-based psychologists are an invaluable, but potentially overlooked, resource in driving and supporting effective, evidence-supported, organisational change in schools. It is suggested that this can occur best when school-based psychologists are able to move away from direct service models that treat individual children to a systemic model that supports whole-school change.

scholarly journals Towards a Model for Integrating Informal and Formal Learning for Children in Refugee Camps: The Example of the Lesbos School for Peace

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Ephrat Huss ◽  
Smadar Ben Asher ◽  
Tsvia Walden ◽  
Eitan Shahar
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Arts Based Research ◽  
Whole School ◽  
School Based ◽  
Research Interviews ◽  
Post Disaster

The aim of this paper is to describe a unique, bottom-up model for building a school based on humanistic intercultural values in a post-disaster/refugee area. We think that this model will be of use in similar contexts. This single-case study can teach us about the needs of refugee children, as well as provide strategies to reach these needs with limited resources in additional similar contexts. Additionally, this paper will outline a qualitative arts-based methodology to understand and to evaluate refugee children’s lived experience of in-detention camp schools. Our field site is an afternoon school for refugee children operated and maintained by volunteers and refugee teachers. The methodology is a participatory case study using arts-based research, interviews, and observation of a school built for refugee camp children in Lesbos. Participants in this study included the whole school, from children to teachers, to volunteers and managers. The research design was used to inform the school itself, and to outline the key components found to be meaningful in making the school a positive experience. These components could be emulated by similar educational projects and used to evaluate them on an ongoing basis.

Beyond the status quo – setting the agenda for effective change

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan R Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
School Change ◽  
International School ◽  
Educational Environment ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Leadership Characteristics ◽  
Effective Change ◽  
The Status

In today’s competitive and rapidly evolving educational environment, the ability to implement appropriate and effective change is of critical importance to an international school’s ongoing success. This study examines leadership characteristics and styles that support the development and forward momentum of a change agenda within the context of an international school environment. Results from a mixed methods research design found that the leadership characteristics most frequently linked to effective change included: (i) being visionary; (ii) being committed to school/staff; and (iii) creating a collegial/supportive work environment. The paper analyzes these and other results through the lenses of: (i) setting directions; (ii) developing people; and (iii) developing the organization. Findings specific to the international school situation are also presented. Finally, suggestions for developing a framework for an international school ‘change management’ paradigm are presented.

scholarly journals Whole School SEND (WSS) Review: study protocol for a two-arm pragmatic parallel cluster randomised controlled trial in 160 English secondary schools

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Morris ◽  
Andrew Smith ◽  
Cathy Lewin ◽  
Peter Hick ◽  
Jordan Harrison
Keyword(s):  
School Change ◽  
English Language ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Educational Needs ◽  
Special Educational Needs ◽  
Whole School ◽  
Cluster Randomised ◽  
Educational Need ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background The trial will study the effects of the Whole School SEND Review on secondary school pupils in English mainstream education, to understand the impact of the intervention on academic attainment, wellbeing, and school attendance. The Review is designed to facilitate whole-school change through providing enhanced, intensive and sustained support and training in inclusive education for school special educational needs coordinators and leadership teams. The trial will have a specific focus on pupils designated as having special educational needs or disabilities. Methods We recruited 160 English secondary schools (approx. 58,000 pupils across two cohorts) to a two-arm pragmatic parallel cluster randomised controlled trial, with allocation at the school level. Randomisation will be stratified by school region. The primary outcome is attainment in English language (using standardised national test results at 16 years) for pupils designated as having a special educational need (approx. 4000 pupils). Secondary outcomes will be measured for pupils both with and without a special educational need designation and include pupil wellbeing (measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), absences and exclusions, and attainment in Mathematics and English language at 16 years. The intervention will be implemented from July 2021 and analysis of outcomes (for the year 9 cohort) will take place in September 2023, with further analysis (for the year 8 cohort) in September 2024 if the evaluation shows that acceptable implementation fidelity has been achieved. Discussion Pupils with special educational needs represent a significant and often vulnerable part of the secondary school population, are disproportionately likely to be excluded from school, eligible for free school meals, or supported by children’s social care. Despite these multiple important areas of need, school leaders report substantial challenges in making additional provision for this group. Previous research has highlighted the development of inclusive school cultures (rather focusing primarily on targeted individualised approaches) as being important. This trial will investigate how an intervention designed to drive whole school change may lead to outcomes for pupils with and without a special educational needs designation. As such, this trial is expected to make an important contribution to research evidence and to UK educational policy. Trial registration ISRCTN registry ISRCTN11339306. Registered on 12 March 2020 (retrospectively registered).

scholarly journals 3191 Adolescent Substance Use: School and Community Perspectives on School-Based Interventions

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 82-83
Author(s):  
Sycarah Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
School Counselors ◽  
School Psychologists ◽  
Early Identification ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
Adolescent Substance Use ◽  
Adolescent Substance ◽  
School Based ◽  
School And Community

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Fifty percent of adolescents have tried an illicit drug and 70% have tried alcohol by the end of high school. Further, despite 7-9% of youth 12-17 meeting criteria for a substance use disorder only 1 in 10 actually receive it. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence based process that facilitates early identification and treatment for adults and adolescents in community (primary care) facilities. Despite the documented effectiveness of SBIRT, no research has examined the implementation of SBIRT in school settings by school-based mental health personnel. The purpose of the present study was to identify facilitators and barriers to SBIRT implementation by school-based personnel in secondary schools. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Participants included 30 school and community service providers including: teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, school administrators (principals and central office staff), city council members, school board members, community mental health services providers as well as state level individuals from the department of Adolescent Substance Use and the Office of Drug Control Policy. Interview guides were developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify facilitators and barriers regarding the following: inner setting, outer setting, individuals involved, and intervention (SBIRT). The six-phase framework of Thematic Analysis (TA) was employed to analyze the data. We specifically used the deductive method to analyze the data with a pre-determined theory in mind (CFIR) to move to hypothesis building, and coding the data. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Contrary to research conducted outside of the schools under the auspices that schools do not have the time or interest in providing school-based substance use interventions, several themes emerged identifying a receptivity, willingness, and eagerness to provide these services. Specifically, school-based mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school psychologists) being aware of adolescent substance use in their schools, but not knowing how to appropriately handle such disclosures. Further, school-based mental health personnel indicated that they would want additional training on how to identify and provide services to adolescents with substance use needs. School-based administrators also indicated a receptivity to addressing substance use with an acknowledgement that schools would need to move from a punitive model for substance use infractions to a treatment model. Some identified barriers to implementation included lack of awareness of community treatment settings for referrals and anonymity or lack thereof of substance use screening. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: While the data analyzed come from a limited sample in one school district, the present study found that schools could be potential settings for the early identification and intervention of adolescent substance use. Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of school and community receptivity to school-based interventions. Future research should identify training needs of school-based mental health personnel to assist in the early identification and prevention of substance use disorders.

scholarly journals Building Healthy Communities: Creating Policy to Sustain Health-Related School Change

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-190
Author(s):  
Erin Elizabeth Centeio ◽  
Jeanne M. Barcelona ◽  
Kristen Kaszeta ◽  
Nate McCaughtry
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
School Change ◽  
School Intervention ◽  
School Level ◽  
Healthy Communities ◽  
School Based ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
The Impact

Many organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Academies of Science have called on schools to address childhood obesity and provide more opportunities for children to be active and eat healthier. This study discusses the impact that one comprehensive school program, Building Healthy Communities (BHC), had on school policy across 40 Midwest elementary schools. The study aim was to assess elementary schools that participated in the BHC whole-of-school intervention and examine the policy changes that took place during the year-long intervention, as well as proposed changes made as part of a sustainability plan. Findings indicated that evidenced-based tools can spur awareness of the need for health-based school change among administration, which in turn can prompt the adoption of school-level adherence policies. The intersection between school-based health policy and community-based youth programs is explored as an important part of comprehensive youth health promotion.

scholarly journals Effective Change in Educational Institutions

2016 ◽  
pp. 88-107
Author(s):  
Evgenia Theodotou ◽  
Avraam Papastathopoulos ◽  
Panagiotis Koutsouvelis
Keyword(s):  
Organisational Change ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Everyday Practice ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Leadership Models ◽  
Effective Change ◽  
Change Event ◽  
Management And Leadership

This chapter discusses the theoretical framework of management and leadership of change, focusing on the construct of power in educational institutions. Managers and leaders in educational institutions can adopt different models to apply change in the existing organisational procedures. According to the model they follow, they use their power differently. This chapter argues that the manner managers and leaders utilise their power strongly influences effective organisational change and their role in the organisation. Relevant managerial and leadership models of change are analysed in relation to different forms of power, with regard to the theoretical and research literature. The argument is further illuminated with a change event in a school in Greece in order to create a link between theory and everyday practice.

A look inside school-based consultation: A qualitative study of the beliefs and practices of school psychologists and teachers.

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle S. Athanasiou ◽  
Molly Geil ◽  
Cynthia E. Hazel ◽  
Ellis P. Copeland
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
School Psychologists ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
School Based

scholarly journals Considering Mindfulness Techniques in School-based Anti-bullying Programmes

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mairead Foody ◽  
Muthanna Samara
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
School Bullying ◽  
Duty Of Care ◽  
Whole School ◽  
School Based ◽  
Current Psychological ◽  
The Impact

Schools have a duty of care to all students and to directly prevent and intervene with bullying amongst children and adolescents. The emergence of cyberbullying escalates this responsibility as the strategies that have become appropriate at national levels for bullying do not always parallel over to online environments. The impact on mental health is the most obvious concern for those responsible for reducing bullying, however, input from psychologists and mental health professionals is scant and often limited on this topic. This paper outlines what bullying is and the devastating impact it can have on the mental health of those involved. It will outline the most common anti-bullying initiatives as well as the current psychological and educational techniques, which could also be used to alleviate distress associated with bullying involvement. We will focus specifically on the role of mindfulness techniques and argue for more of such exercises to be included in whole-school bullying programmes. We conclude by arguing the need to investigate components relevant to both mindfulness and anti-bullying programmes (e.g., empathy, perspective-taking) as active ingredients for reducing the impact of bullying on mental health.

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