I am honored to be nominated for the Vice-President position for Division 16. I feel I am uniquely qualified to represent the scientist-practitioner model as I continue to serve as a practitioner in a Laboratory School where I also maintain an active research program. My colleagues and I have conceptualized, implemented, and researched a comprehensive service delivery model consistent with Division 16 s position, which I hope to promote at the national level, providing for more opportunities for school psychologists.
Education is at the forefront of the nation s political agenda.
As federal and state legislators, systems administrators and their constituents determine how to best support educators in a respectful manner, hold schools accountable and promote success in all students, the need for psychological support systems will dramatically increase. It is already well documented that vast mental health needs of children are unmet. Thus, a great need already exists for school psychological services, especially at the doctoral level where unique training in research design, systems intervention and mental health support make the psychologist operating in schools more and more indispensable. Even more pressing is the need for greater multicultural diversity in the field. With the present push for accountability in schools and attainment of standards, school psychologists will be relied upon to help obtain a healthy balance between standards achievement and a holistic, comprehensive education that improves quality of life.