Introduction to school psychology

There is a considerable need to educate school personnel, parents, legislators, and the general public about the value of school psychological services. This chapter provides an overview of the field of school psychology. In particular, it defines the profession, describes the ways in which school psychology differs from other related professions, presents the 10 domains of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Practice Model, and describes the typical roles and functions of school psychologists in the schools. The NASP Practice Model provides a comprehensive framework for conceptualizing service delivery in school psychology. The NASP Practice Model is referenced frequently throughout the remainder of the book; thus, the figure provided in this chapter may assist readers in understanding how various components of practice are interrelated. The chapter defines the term social justice and multiculturalism, and presents a rationale for the orientation of this book.