Excellent news for school psychologist this week! The APA Council of Representatives laid the assault on non-doctoral school psychology to rest. We owe a debt of gratitude to those leaders who worked tirelessly and professionally to achieve compromise language in the Model Licensure Act that preserves our title and practice. The long-standing exemption permitting credentialing by State Education Agencies and the use of the title “School Psychologist” was judiciously preserved. To learn more by reading messages from those in the room visit the NASP website at http://nasponline.org/standards/apamla.aspx

LSUS graduate and undergraduate psychology students shared their research at the annual conference of the Louisiana School Psychological Association in Lafayette, Louisiana. Students presented three posters representing empirical findings from the 2009 School of R.O.C.K. summer program. School of R.O.C.K. is a summer program for elementary school students that provides three hours of daily instruction in reading and self-management skills. This year, six undergraduate psychology majors and three advanced graduate students in the Specialist in School Psychology Program worked as Interventionist/Researchers. Poster topics included: Repeated reading: Are effects due to repetition or practice?; Predictive validity of reinforcer assessment methods, and Self-monitoring and retention training (SMART) for children with academic performance problems.

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Jennifer Laufenberg receives Will Bergeron Award from LSPA President Cindy Morgan-D’Atrio (right) joined by LSUS faculty Dr. Becky Nolan and Dr. Katherine Wickstrom. Photo by Sam Tingle

The LSUS School Psychology Program congratulates Jennifer Laufenberg the 2009 recipient of the Will Bergeron Memorial Scholarship. As a current third year student in school psychology, Jennifer is completing her internship in Caddo Parish Public Schools. Jennifer is recognized for her outstanding accomplishments in graduate courses at LSUS, diligent work during the School of R.O.C.K. summer program in June 2009, and her leadership as a graduate assistant in the Psychology Department. Jennifer was presented with the Will Bergeron Scholarship, along with a $500 stipend, at the annual conference in Lafayette for the Louisiana School Psychological Association (LSPA) on November 12, 2009.

The Will Bergeron Memorial Scholarship was established by LSPA in 1982 in honor of one of the early practitioners and trainers of school psychology in Louisiana. Dr. Bergeron dedicated many years of service to enhance the educational growth and development of school psychologists in Louisiana.

The scholarship is awarded annually to one student in a Louisiana school psychology program who has demonstrated exceptional performance in graduate school and shows great potential to contribute to the field. Faculty and students of the LSUS School Psychology Program are proud of Jennifer and wish her success as a school psychologist.

The School of R.O.C.K. (Reading and Organization for Cool Kids), a three week summer reading camp for children with reading challenges, has been awarded a grant in the amount of $17,950 from The Community Foundation of Shreveport-Bossier. The grant will fund the reading camp at LSU Shreveport during June 2010 and will ensure that the LSUS-Caddo Parish partnership continues.

To read the whole press release visit the LSUS Office of Media and Public Relations.

Visit the Shreveport Times and read about the School of R.O.C.K. project at LSUS.

I recently returned from Louisiana’s 2^nd Annual PBS Conference in Baton Rouge. The professionals at the Louisiana Positive Behavior Support Project deserve accolades for presenting a top-notch state level conference. Three national speakers shared important ideas and skills with about 400 attendees. Dr. Denny Reid delivered the keynote and breakout sessions focusing on working with students instead of against students to enhance our PBS efforts.  Dr. Hank Bohanon shared his knowledge of implementing PBS initiatives in high school settings. Dr. Bohanon spoke of essential components and good consultation skills wrapping up with teaching expectations and redirecting behavior in high school settings. Dr. Terry Lewis-Palmer shared ideas for supporting teachers in their relations with students and implementation of PBS, linking bully-proofing and PBS, supporting tertiary implementation, and conducting efficient and effective FBA in a 3-tiered model. (more…)

Julie Creasong, Teronica Walls, and Jessica Foreman prepare to walk.

Family and faculty gathered at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, Louisiana to celebrate the Louisiana State University – Shreveport graduates of the class of 2009. Six students completed the Specialist in School Psychology, LSUS’ highest degree.  The new School Psychologists are: Julie Darlyne Creasong (Bossier City, LA), Hollie Miranda Bearden (Ruston, LA), and Jessica Rae Foreman, Mack Edward Morgan, Troy Wall, and Teronica Lavette Walls (Shreveport, LA).

Universities and colleges in Northwest Louisiana and the City of Shreveport sponsored a regional event to promote enrollment in advanced programs of study and to showcase regional employment opportunities. The cost of admission was a resume and professional attire. Over 700 students participated.

Dr. Kevin Jones and Dr. Meredith Nelson represented the two graduate programs offered by the LSUS Psychology Department; a Specialist in School Psychology and Masters in Counseling Psychology respectively. Both programs will accept applications for Fall 2009 admission until June 30, 2009.

To apply to either program visit the department website: http://www.lsus.edu/ehd/psyc/graduate.asp .

The faculty was pleased to recognize the achievements of third year student Julie Creasong with the Specialist in School Psychology Academic Award for the 2009 school year. Julie excelled academically and is completing her internship having earned excellent reviews. Congratualtions, Julie!

Candice Dyer interviews Deborah Crockett, for Teacher Magazine, about her role as a school psychologists. Readers will get a glimpse of a typical workday and learn about the evolving role of the school psychologist. Undergraduates trying to select a path of advanced study should read this article. School psychology is a growing field that was recently rated as one of the top 30 careers by US News & World Report.