ISPA Web Site

Assessment Practices with Linguistically Diverse Students

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:00:00 -0100

Dear Sir or Madam,

My name is Brooke Chapla, and I am a doctoral student in the school psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In an effort to gain more information about the current assessment practices of school psychologists evaluating linguistically diverse students I am conducting a research study and I would like to invite you to participate.

If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete a survey about your assessment practices with linguistically diverse students. In particular, you will be asked about demographic information, training experiences, assessment practices and tools used, self-reported competencies in language fluency, knowledge about discrimination between second language acquisition difficulties and learning difficulties, and knowledge about and practice in the use of interpreters. This survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

Although you may not benefit directly from participation in this study, we hope that your contribution will further the knowledge base by identifying the current assessment practices of school psychologists evaluating linguistically diverse students.

Participation is anonymous, which means that no one will know what your answers are. Taking part in the study is your decision. You do not have to be in this study if you do not want to. You may also quit being in the study at any time or decide not to answer any question you are not comfortable answering.

We will be happy to answer any questions you have about the study. You may contact me at 574-229-7468 or bchapla@huskers.unl.edu or my faculty advisor, Dr. Beth Doll, at 402-472-2238 or bdoll2@unl.edu if you have study related questions or problems. If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant, you may contact the University of Nebraska Lincoln Institutional Review Board, telephone 402-472-6965.

Thank you for your consideration. If you would like to participate, please read and retain the attached informed consent information. Then, please complete the online survey by clicking on the link provided in this email.

https://unleducation.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_d0hGF106otHIxQV

With Kind Regards,

Brooke A. Chapla, MS
Doctoral Student--School Psychology Program
University of Nebraska Lincoln
214 Teachers College
Lincoln, NE 68508
(574) 229-7468
bchapla@huskers.unl.edu

School and Clinical Psychologists' knowledge of the characteristics of Twice-Exceptional Students

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:50:00 -0100

Dear Prospective Research Participant:

My name is Susan OâGrady and I am a doctoral student in the clinical psychology department at The Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Schaumburg, Illinois working on my Clinical Research Project (CRP). This study is a requirement to fulfill my degree and will not be used for decision-making by any organization. This study is for research purposes only.

You are cordially invited to volunteer your participation in my CRP. The purpose of this research is to examine School and Clinical Psychologistsâ knowledge of the characteristics of Twice-Exceptional Students, those who are both gifted and learning disabled.

What Will Be Involved If You Participate?
Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. If you participate in this research, you will be asked complete and/or participate in the following:
An internet-based survey which will take 20-30 minutes to complete.

What If You Change Your Mind About Participating?
You can withdraw at any time during the study. Your participation is completely voluntary. If you choose to withdraw, your data can be withdrawn as long as it is identifiable. Your decision about whether to participate or to discontinue participating will not jeopardize your future relations with the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. You can do so without fear of penalty or negative consequences of any kind.

How Will Your Information Be Treated?
The information you provide for this research will be treated confidentially, and all data (written and recorded) will be kept securely. Written documentations will be stored in a locked file cabinet, accessible only by me, in my home. Recorded data and transcribed data will be stored on my personal password protected laptop, which is accessible only by me, then transferred to the locked cabinet after the research is completed. Results of the research will be reported as summary data only, and no individually identifiable information will be presented. In the event your information is quoted in the written results, I will use pseudonyms or codes to maintain your confidentiality.

All information obtained will be held with the strictest confidentiality. You will be asked to refrain from placing your name or any other identifying information on any research form or protocols to further ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times. All recorded information will be stored securely for three years, as per Illinois School of Professional Psychology requirements. At the end of the three years, all recorded data and other information will be deleted and all written data will be shredded.

What Are the Benefits in This Study?
There will be no direct or immediate personal benefits from your participation in this research, except for the contribution to the study. For the professional audience, the potential benefit of this research will provide additional knowledge to the literature on identifying and supporting Twice-Exceptional students.

You also have the right to review the results of the research if you wish to do so. A copy of the results may be obtained by contacting Susan OâGrady at:

Email: sogrady@stu.argosy.edu

Additionally, should you have specific concerns or questions, you may contact my CRP chair, Dr. Rebecca Tews at The Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Schaumburg, IL, by phone at 847-969-4900 or email at rtews@argosy.edu, or Dr. Robert Eme, IRB Chair, The Illinois School of Professional Psychology, 999 North Plaza Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173, or by phone at 847-969-4900, or email at reme@argosy.edu.

If you are willing to participate in this study, please send an email to:

SusanOGradyCRP@sbcglobal.net

This will automatically generate an email containing the link to the survey and your original email will be deleted.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Susan OâGrady, M.A.
Candidate for Doctorate of Clinical Psychology
Illinois School of Professional Psychology
Argosy University, Schaumburg, IL

Practices of School Psychologists in Assisting Chronically Ill Children in the Educational Environment

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:50:00 -0100

Dear School Psychologists:

My name is Olivia Schlager and I am a school psychology doctoral student at the Pennsylvania State University studying under the guidance of Dr. Barbara Schaefer, Associate Professor of Education. I am requesting your participation in a brief survey about the practices of school psychologists in assisting chronically ill children in the educational environment. This survey constitutes my predissertation research project in partial fulfillment for the M.Ed. degree at the Pennsylvania State University.

This survey is anonymous and it will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. No identifying information will be collected. Should the data be published, no individual information will be disclosed. This study has been approved by the Pennsylvania State University Institutional Review Board (Protocol ID# 40707). Please access the survey below by March 15, 2013:

https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_cPbPVuKzKQo0dwh

If you have any questions about the study, please contact Olivia Schlager at oxs116@psu.edu or Barbara Schaefer at bas19@psu.edu. Any concerns related to this research may also be directed to the Office for Research Protections at Penn State University at (814) 865-1775 or ORProtections@psu.edu.

We sincerely appreciate your time and consideration of this study. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us (see below).

Thank you,
Olivia Schlager
Doctoral Candidate
The Pennsylvania State University
oxs116@psu.edu

Barbara Schaefer, PhD
Associate Professor of Education
The Pennsylvania State University
bas19@psu.edu

Relationship Between Social Desirability and Cultural Competency in School Psychology

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:00:00 -0100

Hello Colleagues,

My name is Ronda Reyna, and I am a doctoral candidate in the School Psychology program at the University of Houston, College of Education. I am conducting a study towards completion of my dissertation and doctoral degree, and I ask that you consider participating in this study. You are eligible to participate if you are a student in School Psychology, a Specialist in School Psychology, a School Psychologist, a trainer or researcher in School Psychology, or a Licensed Psychologist.

I am assessing the relationship between social desirability and self-appraised cultural competency with regard to School Psychology practice. The survey consists of a brief demographic questionnaire, followed by two cultural competency measures, and a social desirability measure. You are asked to answer all questions to the best of your ability, and you may discontinue at any time should you no longer wish to participate.

The survey should take about 20-25 minutes to complete, and you will not be asked for any identifying information, apart from sociocultural demographics and experience in School Psychology practice.
All information is confidential and no identifying information will be attached to your survey responses. If you click on the link below, you will first be provided with information to help you decide whether to participate in the study, and you may then continue on to the survey after reading this information and checking the appropriate box. Please click on the link to proceed with the survey. You may need to copy the link into your browser, if you are not led directly to the survey.

This project has been reviewed by the University of Houston Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (713) 743-9204. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at rsreyna@uh.edu or by phone at (832) 758-9632. My dissertation chair, Milena Keller-Margulis, Ph.D., will also be available and can be reached at mkmargulis@central.uh.edu.

Please follow the link below to participate in the survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RWGX5S5

Sincerely,
Ronda S. Reyna, M.A.
Doctoral Candidate
School Psychology
College of Education
University of Houston
rsreyna@uh.edu

Carina Renae Turner

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:50:00 -0100

Recipient: Carina Renae Turner, Loyola University Chicago. Carina is currently a second-year graduate student in the Master of Education in Educational Psychology program at Loyola University Chicago. She is currently completing her practicum at Canty Elementary School in Chicago. Carina is an African-American woman who was raised in the inner city and educated in overcrowded and under-resourced schools. Education was very important in her household. She is a Graduate Research Fellow at the Center for Urban Research and Learning. Carina conducts focus groups and interviews regarding the community impact of the proposed extension of the CTA Red Line train. She is also a Research Assistant involved in âKeeping Our Kids Safe Projectâ and conducts Math Curricula Meta Analysis. Carina does volunteer work at the Chicago Lights Tutoring Program. One of her professors remarks that she is quite personable, friendly, engaging, sensitive, and respectful with her classmates, faculty, and community members. Another one of her professors indicates that Carina has demonstrated her ability to do both academic and field work since she has been at Loyola. In speaking to the faculty, they have all been impressed by her focus and insight. Carina is committed to the field and you will find her to be an articulate and enthusiastic voice for all minority children.

Gabriela Tuszynski

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:50:00 -0100

Recipient: Gabriela Tuszynski, Loyola University Chicago. Gabriela enrolled in the Master of Education in Educational Psychology at Loyola University Chicago in the Fall of 2011. She was born and raised in Mexico. Gabriela has always been attracted to altruistic and just social matters or social justice. She has wanted to focus all her passions for service and devotion for good causes, to areas where helping children and youth were a priority. Hence she felt that helping children and youth with an educational focus was the best combination for her to pursue. A professor of hers, who was a school psychologist in a low income district greatly inspired her to seek a career in School Psychology. Gabriela has done volunteer work in an organization called âFeed My Starving Children,â where volunteers pack food to feed poor children in many parts of the world. She stated, âTheir cause means a lot to me because I believe that eating is the most basic need a human being has. I experienced many times â as a childâthe feeling of being hungry and many people helped me. I have no doubt that this is my time to give back.â Additionally, Gabriela is in the process of arranging a meeting with an organization called Mutual Ground where women and children â victims of domestic violence â seek shelter. Gabriela is referred to by one of her professors as an excellent student and person. Her level of engagement in class and in various field-based activities is âoff the chart.â Her professor further comments that, âI donât think that I have ever met a person more enthusiastic about School Psychology.â

Eastern Illinois University

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:40:00 -0100

Recipient: Eastern Illinois University Graduate Association of School Psychology. Rather than being awarded by the President at the Awards Banquet, this yearâs ISPA Spirit Award was the result of a contest at the All-Association Party. Each competing school had to compose and sing a song about School Psychology. â Ross Pesce

Dr. Stephen Brock

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:20:00 -0100

Recipient: Dr. Stephen Brock. The âSpecial Friend of ISPAâ award is given to colleagues who have gone above and beyond in supporting the efforts of our association. ISPA is fortunate indeed to have many individuals who support us and help us achieve our mission and goals. It is often difficult to determine who is most deserving of this award.

The word âfriendâ comes from an Old English meaning to love and to honor. Dr. Stephen E. Brock is a person who loves children, loves life, and loves School Psychology. In the past year, ISPA has been honored to have had Dr. Brock as a workshop presenter at one of the General Sessions at the 2012 Fall Conference and now at this current Convention. When asked to return, Dr. Brock is always accommodating; he has presented at ISPA Fall Conferences and Annual Conventions numerous times. Dr. Brockâs academic work has included study of School-Based Crisis Intervention, Suicide Prevention, ADHD, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Violence Prevention and Threat Assessment, Reading, PTSD, and Autism. His curriculum vitae lists over 200 publications (including 11 book titles) and over 140 invited or refereed state/national conference presentations. In case you didnât know, he is one of the co-authors, along with Dr. Melissa Reeves, of the PREPaRE Crisis Prevention and Intervention Curriculum.
Dr. Brock, ISPA loves you and thanks you. We are pleased to honor you today as our special friend. â Richard Harley

Editorâs Note: Since the presentation of this award, Dr. Brock has been elected President-Elect of NASP for the 2013-2014 year. Congratulations, Dr. Brock! - TH

Dick Lockhart

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:20:00 -0100

Recipient: Dick Lockhart. This yearâs recipient of the ISPA Presidential Award is an individual who is well known to me when I became the Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee. However, I soon came to respect and appreciate his advocacy skills, his lobbing skills, the depth of his knowledge, his intellect, the strength of his commitment, and his passion. As a past Governmental Affairs Chair, then President-Elect, and now as President, I have benefitted from his insight, collaboration and support.

Dick Lockhart has an impressive level of dedication and commitment to our profession. He has been our only lobbyist and actively involved with the ISPA leadership since 1980. His legislative accomplishments are too numerous to indicate here. He is the oldest lobbyist within the State of Illinois and is very well respected by legislators, House and Senate presidents, the Governorâs office, as well as by his colleagues. His opinions regarding legislation/pending bills are frequently sought by his colleagues. I have had the honor of accompanying him to Springfield and offering testimony before the House and Senate Education Committees as well as meeting with numerous legislators to discuss ISPAâs position on various legislation or bills that ISPA supported. On my first visit to the state legislature with him, we were on our way to a committee hearing. I was amazed at the number of individuals who came up to him seeking his opinion and guidance with regard to their particular concerns. I thought, âWe arenât going to make it on time to the committee hearing.â I was greatly mistaken. We made it on time.

Dick is a go-to person, full of energy, and incredibly committed and passionate about serving both our professional organization and the students and families of Illinois. He has been employed as a Lobbyist for more than 50 years and represents all of the Mental Health Organizations within Illinois. Harry Porterfield, Channel 7 News does a segment called âSomeone You Should Know.â Dick Lockhart is definitely âSomeone You Should Know!â - Richard Harley

Anthony Adamowski

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:20:00 -0100

Recipient: Anthony Adamowski. Life Membership: âThere shall be a group of life members who are recommended for this honor by the board. To be recommended, an individual shall have been a member of ISPA for at least 10 years and shall have made notable contributions to the field.â So reads this definition from our ISPA Constitution and Bylaws.

I am an ISPA charter member and can sincerely state that there has been no member in recent years who has so influenced ISPA while also contributing so much at the national level with involvement at NASP as Anthony Adamowski. Anthony is the only person elected President of ISPA twice (98-99 and 09-10). During his second presidency, he was beaming as he delivered opening comments at the NASP Convention as he greeted and welcomed attendees to our state and to the city of Chicago. He served two terms as Illinoisâ NASP Delegate, and while doing so served on the Executive Council. In 2004, NASP planned its very first Summer Conference here in Chicago. Anthony took on the challenge of planning the entire event, even though he could not attend all of it due to work responsibilities. In the early years, these conferences were co-sponsored by American Healthcare Institute. In time, Anthony suggested that NASP could do an even better job of hosting the events on its own, increasing the quality of the conferences while enhancing revenue for the host. Anthony remains a prominent force behind the popular NASP Summer Conferences, as he is the official Summer Conference Workgroup Chair.

During his two terms of President, and also as a member of the Governing Board while NASP Delegate, Anthony brought forward and facilitated a number of initiatives that have helped set ISPAâs course, while fostering some key relationships with other groups. Prominent among those is the relationship that ISPA enjoys with the Illinois Childrenâs Mental Health Partnership. This evolved from the Illinois Childrenâs Mental Health Task Force, to which Anthony had appointed current President Richard Harley, and me. We are among the only 25 members of the Partnership and the single entity officially representing Psychology. Other notable accomplishments include redeveloping a single-day Fall Workshop into an annual Fall Conference, improving member services, reconfiguring of leadership structure to improve flexibility, and responding to needs brought forward by leadership and members. Most notable, though, is the manner in which planning, budget, and finance were all reconfigured in a manner in which activities are now tied to budget items, ensuring greater accountability and transparency while promoting sound financial practice.

Of course, no description of Anthony would be complete without commenting on his social finesse. Anthony knows how to enjoy time with others, especially those demonstrating potential, and is well known for his youth leadership development. He is adept at recognizing leadership talent in others and helping groom future ISPA leaders while assisting and remaining a constant and reliable confidante and support for experienced leaders. He loves to socialize and make sure that membersâ needs are met, as typified most recently at the Convention where he worked behind the scenes, as always, to provide high-quality speakers and presentations, while making sure that everything ran smoothly for all assembled. A few years ago, he agreed to take on workshop planning for the Annual Convention.

In summary, as so well stated by President Richard Harley, just before he surprised Anthony with the award, âGiven some of the complex problems ISPA has had to solve, this individual has a rare and enviable ability to find a workable solution. This individualâs insistence on professional quality at each stage has produced an âopen bookâ on how ISPA does its businessâ¦. As a direct result of this individualâs efforts, ISPA continues to be in a great place and will be for a long period of time. It is my hope that this person will continue to inspire us with innovative thinking for years to come.â â Ross Pesce