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About UsNewsPROTECT USE OF THE TITLE “SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST” The American Psychological Association (APA) recently requested public comments as it considers revisions to the Model Act for State Licensure of Psychologists (Model Act). NDASP President, Alannah Valenta, submitted the following statement on behalf of our organization. Comment: The North Dakota Association of School Psychologists (NDASP) strongly advocates for the maintenance of the exemption for school psychologists as outlined in Section J.3. Our position echoes that of the National Association of School Psychologists. It is imperative that the American Psychological Association (APA) continues to recognize the authority of state agencies to confer the professional title of school psychologist to individuals practicing in this capacity within schools and related educational settings, a practice that has been upheld for the past three decades. Any attempt to remove this exemption would lead to unnecessary confusion among the public and would be in conflict with federal law and regulations that align with NASP standards and explicitly acknowledge "licensed or certified" professionals as school psychologists. The understanding of the role and responsibilities of school psychologists, as well as the significant value they bring to students, families, and educational institutions, has become widely established. Consequently, there has been substantial investment in addressing workforce shortages and enhancing the presence of licensed or certified school psychologists in our public schools. Disrupting the longstanding practice of allowing specialist-level school psychologists, working within school settings, to utilize the title 'school psychologist' could jeopardize these efforts and hinder progress in expanding access to comprehensive school mental and behavioral health services, particularly at a time when youth mental health is a pressing concern.While APA acknowledges the need for a revision to the Model Act to establish appropriate licensure specifications for individuals holding a master's degree in health service psychology (M-HSP), NDASP firmly asserts that the title of school psychologist should only be conferred upon those who meet NASP Standards. These standards outline the entry-level requirements for professional practice as a school psychologist, stipulating that individuals seeking credentialing as a school psychologist must undergo Specialist level preparation, which entails three years of graduate study, a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours, and a 1200-hour internship, with 600 hours specifically within a school setting. It is the firm stance of NDASP that graduates of M-HSP programs, regardless of their area of specialty, should not be permitted to utilize the title "school psychologist" or provide school psychological services unless they meet the aforementioned standards. This position is crucial in upholding the integrity and quality of school psychological services provided to students and schools across North Dakota and this nation. Thank you for your consideration, Alannah Valenta, PsyS, NCSP NDASP President, on behalf of NDASP |
