MSPA Awards Criteria

Ysseldyke Best Practices Award

PURPOSE
This award is designed to honor those professionals whose principles, standards and dedication have enhanced the field of school psychology. This award is named for Jim Ysseldyke, who (among many other accomplishments) is a University of Minnesota Professor of Educational Psychology and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Education and Human Development. He is the past editor of School Psychology International and Exceptional Children, is a fellow in the School Psychology and Educational Psychology Divisions of the American Psychological Association, was the recipient of the APA Lightner Witmer Award, the Career Research Award from the Council for Exceptional Children, the college's Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Emma Birkmaier Endowed Professorship.

AWARD PRESENTATION
An award ceremony will take place at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference. The award will be presented by Jim Ysseldyke whenever possible.

JUDGING CRITERIA
Candidates will be evaluated in terms of major contributions to the field of school psychology.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Nominations will come from the MSPA Board during the summer retreat. The Board will vote on nominations either at the summer retreat or a fall meeting.

Past Winners

MSPA Legislative (Friend of Children's) Award

PURPOSE
To identify and recognize legislators who have made a significant contribution on behalf of education, mental health, and/or children's issues.

AWARD PRESENTATION
An award ceremony will take place at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Candidates will be nominated by MSPA Board Members or MSPA Members. Nominations will be solicited via our website and list-serve.

PROCEDURES
  1. An MSPA Board member or MSPA member will nominate a candidate using the MSPA Legislative Award form.
  2. The nomination form must be sent to the Awards committee chair no later than 60 days prior to the MSPA Midwinter conference.
  3. If the candidate is selected, the nominator will be asked to make an initial contact with the nominee to let him/her know about the award and find out if the nominee is available to attend the awards ceremony.

MSPA Research Support Grants

PURPOSE
To support research projects conducted by school psychologists or graduate students in school psychology programs which address the educational and/or mental health needs of children and youth.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Practicing school psychologists and school psychology graduate students are eligible for this award. Applicants must be members of MSPA. Priority will be given to practicing school psychologists.

GRANT PRESENTATION
Grants up to $300 will be awarded. The recipient will receive half of the grant in advance and the remaining half when their study is complete. Proposals should involve research projects that can be completed within a 12-month period. Requirements for the grant include presenting the research findings at a future MSPA Midwinter Conference (this can be done via a poster presentation) and writing an article for the MSPA newsletter. The grants, along with a framed certificate, will be presented at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
The Awards Committee will review applications and select no more than one recipient per year. All applicants will be informed of the outcome. Application materials will be retained and reconsidered for three years.

PROCEDURES
  1. Application materials must be typed.
  2. Application packets must contain:
    1. Completed applicant's information form.
    2. Completed research proposal, including a statement of the problem to be studied and the questions to be researched and answered, a description of the subjects and methodology, a description of the measurement instruments, a proposed timeline of research activities, and an outlined budget for use of funds.
  3. Five sets of nomination materials must be sent to Awards Committee chair.
  4. Entries must be postmarked at least 60 days prior to the MSPA Midwinter Conference.
A confirmation receipt (preferably via email) will be sent to the applicant.

MSPA Lifetime Achievement Award

PURPOSE
To identify and recognize outstanding school psychologists who have dedicated their professional lives to the development and betterment of school psychology.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE
School psychologists who work as practitioners, trainers, supervisors, administrators, state consultants, and researchers are eligible for this award. Nominees must have demonstrated at least 20 years of service to the field of school psychology and been a member of NASP and/or MSPA for at least 15 years. Candidates may be retired. The award may be presented posthumously. Possession of the NCSP is desired but not required.

AWARD PRESENTATION
An award ceremony will take place at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference.

JUDGING CRITERIA
Candidates will be evaluated in terms of major contributions to the field throughout their career in one or more of the following areas:
  • Direct service to children, schools, and families
  • Administration or supervision of school psychological or related services
  • Local, state, and/or national development and implementation of school psychological services/programs
  • Development and implementation of school psychology preparation programs
  • Addition to the knowledge base of the field through research and publication

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
A panel of judges will review materials, validate entries, and select no more than three finalists. All candidates will be informed of the outcome. Nomination packets will be retained and reconsidered for a period of three years.

PROCEDURES
  1. Nomination materials must be typed.
  2. Nomination packets must contain only:
    1. Completed candidate's/nominator's information form
    2. A one-page nomination statement
    3. Candidate's resume
  3. Five sets of nomination materials must be sent to Awards Committee chair
  4. Entries must be postmarked at least 60 days prior to the MSPA Midwinter Conference.
  5. A confirmation receipt (preferably via email) will be sent to the nominator.

MSPA Innovative Program Award

PURPOSE
To identify and recognize a person, group, or district that exhibits innovative practices in the field of school psychology. This may entail creative problem-solving of school psychology practical issues or research benefiting school psychology in Minnesota.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE
At least one of the award recipients must be a school psychologist.

AWARD PRESENTATION
An award ceremony will take place at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference. Several individuals or groups may be presented this award each year. Framed certificates will be presented to those selected to receive this award.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Entries will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and all nominators will be informed of the decision.

PROCEDURES
  1. Candidates can be nominated by completing the MSPA Innovative Practices Nomination form (self-nominations accepted for this award).
  2. The nomination form must be sent to the Awards Committee chair no later than 60 days prior to the MSPA Midwinter Conference.
  3. The Awards Committee will review all entries and may complete follow-up phone calls to gather additional information when necessary.
  4. The nominator will be contacted and informed of the committee's decision.

MSPA Administrator Award

PURPOSE
To identify and recognize principals, supervisors, directors, and other administrators who support the field of school psychology.

AWARD PRESENTATION
An award ceremony will take place at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference. Framed certificates will be presented to those selected for this award.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Entries will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and all nominators will be informed of the decision.

PROCEDURES
  1. School Psychologists can nominate administrators by completing the MSPA Administrator Award Nomination form.
  2. The nomination form must be sent to the Awards Committee chair no later than 60 days prior to the MSPA Midwinter Conference.
  3. The Awards Committee will review all entries and may complete follow-up phone calls to gather additional information when necessary.
  4. The nominator will be contacted and informed of the committee's decision.

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