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.
Table of Contents
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.
78%
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
More than 40 hours per week
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.
Is this right for me
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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