Dear Colleague:

You are invited to participate in a survey about school psychologists’ experiences using the ADOS-2 with culturally and linguistically diverse students. We believe that the results of this study will provide valuable information to school psychologists and graduate educators with modifications or adaptations with the ADOS-2 for diverse students as well as learn more about the professional development and training needs surrounding culturally responsive school-based autism assessments for practitioners. Participants must be currently employed as a school psychologist in a public school district in the United States.

This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (Protocol #10834) at Utah State University. Participation is voluntary and is anticipated to take 20-30 minutes to complete. Participation can lead to a drawing of 1 of 2 $50 gift cards. All responses will be kept strictly confidential. There is no foreseeable risk to participants and you may opt out at any time.

If you are interested in participating in the current study, please select the following link: https://redcap.cehs.usu.edu/surveys/?s=9P8P4FKK8N

If you have any general questions about the survey, please contact the principal investigator, Maryellen McClain Verdoes, PhD at 435-797-6373 or maryellen.mcclainverdoes@usu.edu.

Please feel free to forward the survey to your friends and colleagues. We appreciate your help!

Research Project SURVEY Title: “So, What’s the Big Deal About Self Care?"

Sarah Elizabeth Daniel, First Year School Psychology Graduate Student at Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

• Dr. Jim Deni, School Psychology Appalachian State University
• Dr. Stephanie Corcoran, School Psychology The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Purpose and detail of survey’s used:

• The purpose of our current research is to examine findings on self care in practitioners, specifically through this time of COVID-19 uncertainty. We’re looking specifically at different methods individuals use for self care, if the individual is depressed or suicidal during this time, or if the person is having any difficulties navigating the new normal with staying at home. Additionally, participants are asked to rate on a scale multiple questions, asking about job satisfaction within the realm of self care. We’ve adapted questions from the “Self Care Assessment for Psychologists (SCAP), which is a 21 question survey, with ratings from 1 (never) to 7 (almost always). The assessment contains questions related to professional support, professional development, life balance, cognitive strategies, and daily balance. (Dorociak et al., 2017) An adaptation of the Zahinser, 2017 article on Self Care in Clinical Psychology Graduate Training was also included as well. Overall, we’re curious in knowing how much self care actually occurs in the workplace setting.
• Do many people utilize self care?
• Are people utilizing these activities more often during the period of uncertainty?
• In the workplace culture, are self care strategies utilized?

Questionnaire Used: Self Care Assessment for Psychologists (SCAP) Information and citation included in attached document.

IRB Approval: Questions regarding the purpose or procedures of the research should be directed to Jim Deni at denijr@appstate.edu. This study has been exempted from Institutional Review Board (IRB) review in accordance with Federal regulations. The IRB, a university committee established by Federal law, is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of research participants. 

We’re inviting you to participate in a research study on science communication.

The survey is available athttps://okstatecoe.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bOE0kbOh4WXpXUN.

We’re hoping to better understand how to share evidence-based information. Specifically, we want to know how school psychologists think and feel about using social media to share research and practice-related information.

Participation is completely voluntary, and if you agree to participate you can always change your mind and withdraw. We do not believe there are any negative consequences and participation should only take 5 to 10 minutes. Your responses will be stored on secured servers and we are not collecting identifying information.

If you have questions, feel free to contact Christina Pynn (cpynn@okstate.edu) or Ryan Farmer (r.farmer@okstate.edu) at Oklahoma State University. “

More Information

Title: The Acceptability Among School Psychologists of Social Media as a Medium to Communicate and Obtain Research-Based and Practice-Related Information.

IRB Approval #: IRB-20-27

IRB Approval Date: 1/29/2020

Researchers: Christina Pynn, Oklahoma State University. Contact: cpynn@okstate.edu or (918) 344-2622; and Dr. Ryan Farmer, Assistant Professor Oklahoma State University. Contact: r.farmer@okstate.edu

The purpose of this study is to establish a baseline knowledge and explore school psychologists’ beliefs, attitudes, and current practices in regard to the use of social media for communicating and obtaining evidence-based research for practice.

Dear School Psychologists,

If you are a practicing School Psychologist, please help me collect data for my dissertation by completing the survey in the link below. If you choose to enter your email at the end of the survey, you will be entered to win one of four available $100 Amazon gift cards:

https://stjohns.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2toFJAPWzbPL6fj

Please note: this link works best when accessed on a desktop device, rather than mobile.

The dissertation study is investigating school psychologist’s cognitive and academic assessment practices. More specifically, I have begun researching patterns at which school psychologists make decisions for individual students given their profile.  This research study aims to collect more concrete information about how school psychologists conduct assessments for their students.

The survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete.  By completing the electronic survey, you will have voluntarily agreed to participate in this study, which will be carried out by Noelle Ferrara, M.S., under the supervision of Samuel Ortiz, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, at St. John's University.  There are no known risks or consequences anticipated for participants of this study.  You may refuse to participate or withdraw from the study at anytime; there are no penalties for not participating. All survey data will be stored in a secure website database available only to us.

We know your time is valuable and limited; therefore, we sincerely appreciate your participation in this research study.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at Noelle.ferrara12@stjohns.edu or Dr. Samuel Ortiz.

Please allow me to thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Respectfully,

Noelle Ferrara

Doctoral Candidate, Graduate Program in School Psychology

"We are conducting a research study examining School Psychologists’ training in culturally relevant gifted assessment/identification practices; by exploring the relationship of their graduate-level training and their perceived ability to assess and identify culturally and linguistically diverse gifted learners, the proposed research study seeks to understand and reveal factors that can help to diversify the field of gifted education. We are hoping individuals within your organization will be interested in participating.

To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years of age and a currently practicing school psychologist. Participation in this study will involve completing an online survey. It is anticipated that participation will take approximately 15 minutes. 

Your assistance within this study will be an asset to the improvement of school psychology training practices."

Thank you, 

Sarah Cooke
School Psychology Ph.D. Student School of Education
Howard University
2441 4th St. NW Washington, DC 20059
Phone: 404-354-4627 

Follow this link to the Survey:
Take the Survey

Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser:
https://howard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6o570WO7rTHAieV?Q_DL=8c4UCuPHLQOAALP_6o570WO7rTHAieV_MLRP_4PHfO4DsnIXlkGx&Q_CHL=email

  MSPA 2020 DAY ON The HILL

               March 6^th

   Education MN     8:30 am  

Day on the Hill presents an opportunity for you to have proactive conversations and build relationships with your members in the legislature. Brad Lundell, our lobbyist, will provide legislative updates and engage in our conversations.  We welcome your presence to advance our shared advocacy goals related to school psychologists’ roles, safe and successful schools, diversity, and school mental health.  DOH is free for MSPA members, 6 CEU’s, and free lunch are provided. It’s truly a wonderful time for collaboration, support, fun, and advocacy.

Reserve your place for DOH by emailing the following to mleifgren@gmail.com

Name:_________________________

Home Address:  _________________________

City: ___________________   State: ________

Zip: _________Day Phone:  _______________ Email:  ________________________________

Would you like to request a Vegetarian meal?

Free parking in Ed.MN lot.  Check-in at front desk with you license plate number.

Dr. Sally Baas & Marilyn Leifgren, Legislative Co-Chairs.

MSPA SCholarship

A MSPA Board-appointed Task Force has been initiated to develop the application process, deadlines, and details for the MSPA Graduate Student scholarship. The award is intended to help support an individual from an underrepresented group. The award will be selected after review of an application and voted upon within the elected board. The board is excited about this new beginning to offer this award in hopes of aiding the school psych shortage our state and nation faces at this time. 

More details to come. 

Please consider making a donation to the scholarship to help support a graduate student pursue their degree in school psychology.

Calling all LGBTQ community and allies: You're invited to attend the public hearing on the Minneapolis conversion "therapy" ban.

Monday, 11/18 at 12:30pm Rally 1:30pm Hearing
Minneapolis City Hall 350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415

RSVP here: outfront.org/hearing

On Monday November 18th, the Minneapolis City Council will hear public testimony on a municipal ordinance banning conversion "therapy" within the city! This is a historic moment for our community and OutFront Minnesota is calling on all our supporters to join us at City Hall.

There will be a rally before the public hearing at 12:30PM and then we will flood the gallery as we hear testimony from medical and mental health professionals, community and faith leaders, and from survivors themselves about why we need to ban this dangerous and discredited practice.

Please join OutFront Minnesota on this historic day, as Minneapolis leads the charge in banning conversion "therapy" across the state!

Call for Poster Proposals

9^th Annual Poster Session

Midwinter Conference 2020

MSPA is taking proposals for the 9^th annual poster session as part of the Midwinter Conference on January 30th and 31st, 2020. We plan to display posters in the main hallways of the conference center during the conference with half of the posters on display on Day 1 and the other half of the posters to be displayed on Day 2. Poster proposals are due on November 20th, 2019. Authors will be notified of their acceptance status via email by December 6th, 2019.

Poster presentations will be of two types: (a) original research studies and (b) summaries of innovative practices. Original research studies must include descriptions of the purpose of the study, research methods, results/discussion, and implications for practice. Summaries of innovative practices must provide a description of the innovative practice and how it has impacted outcomes where they have been implemented. Innovative practices with clear outcomes data will be given the highest priority.

Authors will be expected to stand by their posters and answer questions during a brief poster session during the conference. The remainder of the time the posters will be displayed for conference attendees to review at their leisure. MSPA will provide poster boards and stands for visual display of content. More details will be provided upon acceptance of poster proposals.

Please complete the attached Poster Presentation Application and submit to Dr. Kevin Filter at kevin.filter@mnsu.edu. Please also direct any questions to Dr. Filter before the application deadline of November 20th.

MSPA Call for Posters 2020 Midwinter Conference.docx

NASP and MSPA support the Social Justice objective to “Expand school psychologists’ skills in promoting equity and implementing non-discriminatory practices.” 

The Penumbra Theater has extended its highly acclaimed play PIPELINE to November 3^rd by playwright Dominique Morisseau which is grounded in her experience as a mother of color and a New York City teacher within an intimate, insightful, and heartbreaking drama of one mother’s anguish to keep her son safe.  The Broadway review states:

Because Morisseau drops us into both public and private school dilemmas for people of color, we gain insight into the deep inequities in our educational systems in this country, though this never feels like an 'issue play' for two reasons: there is no grasping for simple resolutions and the characters are so thoroughly imagined.

Further review at Talking Broadway  Note play has subsequently  been extended to November 3^rd.

Link to Penumbra Theatre