"Changes, Challenges and
Building Capacity"
posted
September 16, 2007
It is hard to believe we are already halfway through
September! Many of us have been in school only 4 - 6 weeks, but we are
moving full speed ahead. We are embarking on many changes in education
that offer us the opportunity to spotlight our various roles and services.
I have said this many times and I will say it again… what an exciting time
to be a school psychologist!!! It appears that all stakeholders in
education (curriculum, student services, special education, etc.) are
aligning efforts to support ALL students. Opportunities to expand our role
are vast, regardless if you are in an elementary school, university, or an
administrator. I encourage each of you to embrace this time and think
about how YOU are making a positive impact upon the practice of school
psychology and education in the state of Georgia.
For most of us, these changes mean we are the instant "experts" on
response to intervention, pyramid of interventions, reading curriculum,
(too name a few) for the schools we serve. While this may seem
overwhelming at times, we are in an ideal place to make change and impact
service delivery for years to come. GASP recognizes the need to support
members through professional learning to build capacity to work
effectively in this changing world of education. Our fall conference is
geared towards building those skills you can take back and use in your
practice. For example, we have presentations on reading interventions at
elementary and secondary levels, data collection on behavior,
differentiation of instruction, and integrating neuropsych with RTI. These
are just a few of the many presentations geared towards supporting you in
your practice. Our conference chairs, Deborah Crockett and Frank Smith,
have been working very hard to ensure the topics are timely and reflect
your needs.
Besides our expanding roles, we are also facing challenges such as the APA
Model Licensure Act revision. In July, I had the opportunity to attend the
NASP Public Policy Institute in Washington DC where issues such as this
were discussed on a national level. GASP is committed to addressing these
issues and advocating on your behalf. You have already received emails
from Jeanne Pound, our NASP Delegate, informing you of how to let APA hear
your voice. It is important that we take an active role on this issue. You
still have time to send in your comment. Let me also thank Jeanne for
keeping our members informed on such important issues. Thank you!
My focus this year is to build upon the advocacy efforts of GASP to
address issues that impact the practice of school psychology. We are
ensuring advocacy efforts on all levels. Additionally, I have charged the
board with the development of a GASP Pyramid of School Psychological
Services and Supports. We will have an open work session on this document
at the fall conference. I invite each of you to attend and take part in
its development. The GASP Board is also in the process of developing our
strategic plan. At fall conference, we will present our progress and ask
for your input. As always, the GASP Board wants to hear from you.
I look forward to seeing you at fall conference, October 10 - 12 in
Savannah. We have a comprehensive agenda, as well as a great band! A
winning combination! Please come join us for a great conference! I look
forward to continuing to work with you on making GASP a stronger
organization to best serve the needs of Georgia school psychologists!
 
Tracy Boney, PhD
GASP President, 2007-2008 |