School psychologists offer counseling and targeted programs to help students with learning, social, and behavioral problems. With expert knowledge of psychology, child development, learning, and education systems, school psychologists are trained to provide assessments and interventions, especially for special needs students.
The recommends one school psychologist per 1,000 students. In 2004, NASP found a U.S. average of one school psychologist per 1,621 students, down from an average of 1,816 in 1999. According to data collected by the , only seven states have policies that recommend a ratio of school psychologists to students. And only two of those states鈥擨ndiana and South Carolina鈥攈ave policies that meet NASP鈥檚 recommendation.
Source: , 2006
Ratio policies, of course, do not ensure quality services, but they do offer a starting point toward determining school system needs. Research suggests that mental health screening and early intervention can prevent serious problems, such as violence and depression among students. To read more about this issue, see 鈥淪chools鈥� Role in Mental-Health Care Uneven, Experts Say,鈥� (Education Week, May 1, 2007).
