What Do School Psychologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

School Psychologists

School Psychologists investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems.

Salary
$89290
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Master's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

School Psychologists investigate processes of learning and teaching and develop psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems. They also compile and interpret students’ test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.

Other tasks include:

  • Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
  • Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
  • Select, administer, and score psychological tests.
  • Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
  • Assess an individual child’s needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
  • Develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.

We asked School Psychologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

78%

How meaningful is this job

88%


78% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 88% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, School Psychologists maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data. They select, administer, and score psychological tests.

A typical day for a School Psychologist will also include:

  • Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.
  • Counsel children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.
  • Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.
  • Promote an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and behavior.
  • Compile and interpret students’ test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.

We asked some School Psychologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 86% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 99% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 98% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 49% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 13% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 56% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, School Psychologists also develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members. They may also assess an individual child’s needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.

On a weekly to monthly basis, School Psychologists Refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, or social services. They might also Initiate and direct efforts to foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in school communities.

In addition, they Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.

To some School Psychologists, it is also their responsibility to Compile and interpret students’ test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a School Psychologist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do School Psychologists work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
97%


Once a week
3%


Do School Psychologists work outdoors?

Never
73%


Once a year
20%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Thinkers and The Helpers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about School Psychologists

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Related to School Psychologists Job Description

School Psychologists job description, what do School Psychologists do, typical day for School Psychologists, what is it like to work as a School Psychologist, how many hours do School Psychologists work, day to day work of a School Psychologist

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm
http://www.nasponline.org/
http://www.asppb.net/
http://www.apsanet.org/


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