Beginnings of GASP
In 1965, Herman Sorkey came to the University of
Georgia to be the Coordinator and Director of Professional Training for the Experienced
Teacher Fellowship Program. Under the leadership of Sorkey and E. Paul Torrance, the first
institute was held during the 1965-1966 academic year. The program also met for the last
time the following year.
This program was developed in response to the
expressed needs of Georgia School Systems (especially those in metropolitan Atlanta) and
at the request of the Georgia State Department for persons trained in School Psychology.
The program was to promote development of school
psychologist competencies in individual testing, psychodiagnosis, interviewing,
consultation. The program was to be rooted deeply in the foundational areas of learning,
personality, human development, group dynamics, measurement, statistics, and research
methods to enable skills in those trained to cope and develop creative solutions for the
unique problems which school psychologist handle.
As an outgrowth of this program, participants and
others across the state felt the need to establish a professional organization in Georgia.
A temporary Executive Board was elected as a Constitution Committee. Serving on this Board
were;
- Jim Parker
- Reed Richards
- Nancy Bonney
- Midge Bower
- Richard Kicklighter
- Julia Wimberly
The first annual Georgia School Psychological
Services Association meeting was held on May 8, 1970 in conjunction with the Spring School
Psychology In-Service Workshop sponsored by the Georgia State DOE. The GSPSA constitution
was adopted at the first business meeting. Dues for 1970-1971 were $10 for professionals
and $5 for affiliates and students.
Past GASP Presidents Listing
