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NASP President's Greeting

Welcome to the NASP website!

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is a not-for-profit association representing more than 25,000 school psychologists from across the United States and abroad. Our mission is to represent and support school psychology with leadership to enhance the mental health and educational competence of all children. Partnering with all who share our commitment to children and youth is critical to our work. This website supports that effort and is a remarkable resource for school psychologists, parents, educators, and others interested in helping children and their families.

School Psychologists Are Essential Members of the School Team

School psychologists work with parents, teachers, administrators, and others to promote effective teaching and learning as well as to support students’ positive social–emotional and life skills development. Our work is accomplished daily in schools by monitoring children’s progress during effective instruction and providing positive behavioral supports and counseling as children’s skills develop and improve. School psychologists respond to children’s needs with strategies to identify and promote students’ strengths, and to prevent and intervene early for problems that do occur. We employ the accurate collection and use of data to improve student and school outcomes. And we work with school leaders to address systemic needs; create healthy, safe learning environments; and enhance the resilience, wellness, and academic achievement of all children.

Our Challenge: Create Capacity for Effective Instruction and Mental Health Services for Children

NASP maintains national prominence in responding to children’s needs and advocating for effective policy and practices to address these needs. Children, as well as their families and schools, are experiencing significant, diverse pressures and a corresponding need for school psychologists’ services. Today, these issues range from the increasing diversity of our student populations, the benefits of individualized instruction, expanded provision of school mental health services, school budget cuts, family financial difficulties, an increase in students with learning and behavioral challenges, and school safety and crisis response. The many strengths and resources of NASP allow us to respond effectively and advance our important work for children. Collaboration with state school psychology associations, stakeholders, policy makers, and other professional organizations extends our capacity.

Priorities for NASP in the Coming Year

• Help schools implement effective assessment and interventions for learning and behavior problems established under IDEA 2004
• Advocate for enhanced school-based mental health services; improve responsive services to students from diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Expand capacity for research-based programs and highly qualified professionals in schools
• Facilitate collaboration between schools, community service providers, and parents
• Ensure access of children, families, and schools to effective services by school psychologists
• Increase the number of school psychologists available to meet the growing demand
• Expand professional development opportunities for school psychologists, and prepare the next generation of school psychologists through quality graduate programs and early career resources 

School Psychologists Are Highly Qualified to Promote Competence and Expand Opportunities for Children

NASP is committed to supporting school psychologists who provide evidence-based "best practices." School psychologists are specifically qualified to deal with the developmental, mental health, and academic problems and opportunities of young people from birth to age 22. We provide direct educational and mental health services for children and youth, as well as work with parents, educators, and other professionals to create supportive learning and social environments for all children. School psychologists apply their knowledge and skills in both psychology and education during consultation, decision making, assessment, and data collection. School psychologists engage in specific services for children, such as direct and indirect interventions that focus on academic skills, learning, socialization, and mental health. School psychologists provide services to schools and families to enhance the competence and well-being of children, including activities to promote effective learning environments, prevent academic and behavior problems, respond to crises, and enhance family–school collaboration. The key foundations for all services by school psychologists are legal, ethical, and professional practice; understanding of diversity in development and learning; and research and program evaluation. More information on NASP standards for graduate education, credentialing, and practice of school psychologists is available on the NASP website.

About Our Website

This website has several areas that may be of interest.

Visit our special sites for Families and Educators for many materials on specialized topics, such as health and wellness, helping children cope, social–emotional development, bullying, and learning and behavior difficulties.

NASP's website has been the premier site to visit concerning crises and trauma in students. You will find materials for all types of crisis situations, such as suicide, terrorism, and natural disasters, under NASP Crisis Resources.

If you are a member of NASP, you have access to additional educational and professional materials online (simply log in to the site); special convention rates; the complete School Psychology Review journal and Communiqué; continuing professional development modules, podcast, and other online resources; and discounts on publications.

If you are a school psychology graduate student, or interested in a career in school psychology, visit our Student website for numerous resources. We also have special websites for Early Career School Psychologists and Faculty Members in school psychology graduate programs.

Under Advocacy and Public Policy, you can find information on current federal and state legislation and policy issues and resources on these topics. NASP is committed to promoting Culturally Competent Practice. You can find valuable information under this heading about how to work with children and youth from a variety of cultural frameworks. When you return to the website, always check out the front page to see what's new at NASP.

If you are not a member of NASP, please go to Membership to learn about the benefits of joining NASP.

I hope our website offers you solid information to better understand the needs of children, families, and schools, as well as the services of school psychologists. Working together, we can promote competence, create capacity, and expand opportunities for children, families, and schools. As NASP president and as a NASP member for many years, I am proud of this site and the information it contains. We are always looking for ways to be more responsive to the needs of those who use it. If you have ideas that will help improve the usefulness of this site, please contact me.

I wish you well and appreciate your visiting our site.

Patti L. Harrison, PhD, NCSP
NASP President, 2009–2010