Yourtown Public Schools

Educational Specialist
Observational Data Form

School Psychologist

by James H. Stronge and Pamela D. Tucker, 2003, Eye On Education, Larchmont, NY

Specialist

Position

Worksite

Evaluator

School Year(s)

by James H. Stronge and Pamela D. Tucker, 2003, Eye On Education, Larchmont, NY

Directions: This form is to be used at the discretion of the evaluator for documenting ongoing performance. The completed form should be retained in the evaluator’s file and a copy distributed to the specialist. Please note: All performance standards may NOT be observed or documented during a single visit.

Program Management

M-1: The educational specialist manages time effectively and provides services in a timely manner.

• Demonstrates effective time management of administrative duties, program implementation, and direct consultation services with students, families, and staff

• Uses time to best advantage, manages scheduling effectively, and follows tasks to completion

• Prepares required reports and assessment results in a timely manner

• Maintains and adheres to daily/weekly/quarterly/yearly schedule of counseling services and programs

Comments

M-2: The educational specialist assists in planning, developing, implementing, and/or following up on interventions, programs, and/or services to students.

• Establishes, implements, and evaluates school-wide/district-wide psychology/counseling plan

• Oversees planning of counseling/psychological services, scheduling, and programs

• Knows and follows applicable local, state, and federal policies and regulations

• Keeps abreast of changes in policies, procedures, and regulations regarding counseling and psychology

• Demonstrates knowledge of and follows all IDEA laws and regulations

Comments

M-3: The educational specialist effectively manages resources (e.g., personnel, fiscal, and material).

• Ensures efficient and effective allocation and use of materials and resources

• Makes resources/materials readily available for students, families, and staff

• Assists in planning the annual budget; recommends facilities and materials needed

• Is familiar with current community resources/agencies

• Follows procedures for using assessment instruments and maintains test security

Comments

M-4: The educational specialist maintains accurate, complete, and timely records as required by law, district policy, and administrative directions.

• Organizes/uses an efficient data collection/record keeping system

• Maintains security of student records, assessment materials, and equipment in accordance with policies and regulations

• Documents counseling appointments, referrals, incidents, interventions, and results

Comments

Direct Services and Instruction

D-1: The educational specialist demonstrates current, accurate, and comprehensive knowledge consistent with the profession.

• Implements current psychology resources, research, approaches, and strategies

• Demonstrates knowledge of current, effective counseling and assessment strategies, competencies, and activities

• Determines correct procedure/action to follow when referrals are received

• Demonstrates an understanding of the role of the psychologist in meeting the developmental, preventive, and remedial needs of students

• Serves as resource for schools regarding concerns, problems, questions, and issues related to student mental health needs that affect educational performance

Comments

D-2: The educational specialist interprets policies, programs, and procedures related to the delivery of services.

• Uses appropriate procedures for group and individual counseling and/or treatment

• Adheres to school/district/state policies and procedures concerning functioning of the school psychology program

• Obtains parental permission regarding counseling and treatment

• Maintains confidentiality of student and student reports

• Prepares written reports in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines

Comments

D-3: The educational specialist seeks, selects, and uses resources compatible with student/program needs.

• Provides developmentally appropriate strategies, assessments, and interventions for students

• Chooses resources and materials in accordance with student needs

• Uses/integrates technology in assessment/counseling services

• Provides a sufficient and helpful choice of counseling/psychology materials and resources for students, families, and staff members

Comments

D-4: The educational specialist uses a variety of strategies or approaches to meet the needs of students.

• Provides counsel for individual students through active listening, identifying problems, contributing suggestions for solutions, administering and evaluating assessment, and assisting student in devising a plan of action

• Offers counseling/therapy (e.g., personal, social, mental, developmental, educational), develops programs, and selects strategies for individuals and groups

• Provides crisis/prevention counseling services

• Recommends instructional accommodations for students

• Assists students, teachers, families, and other service providers to facilitate behavioral change

Comments

D-5: The educational specialist provides effective leadership of the program.

• Arranges/coordinates schoolwide/district-wide counseling services, programs, and interventions in accordance with student’s needs

• Maintains an organized, effective, and efficient counseling, assessment, and intervention program

• Provides training/support/assistance for fellow psychologists, families, faculty, staff, and administration

Comments

Assessment

A-1: The educational specialist assesses and documents attainment of program objective(s).

• Assesses counseling/psychology services and programs through observations, interviews, examinations, tests, and analysis of records in order to evaluate effectiveness

• Facilitates the use of a variety of assessment data for student program planning

• Conducts appropriate counseling/psychological assessment procedures, and analyzes and documents results

• Uses valid psychological and psycho-educational, formal and informal assessment methods for evaluating referred students

Comments

A-2: The educational specialist demonstrates proficiency in administering, scoring/evaluating, and interpreting data from instruments or records.

• Demonstrates knowledge of psychological assessment strategies and interventions

• Analyzes/interprets data and results efficiently and correctly

• Demonstrates knowledge of current, effective assessment measurements

• Administers assessment instruments correctly according to procedures

• Provides accurate feedback for students/families/staff on assessment results

• Aids in explaining and clarifying assessment results and determining appropriate solutions

Comments

A-3: The educational specialist uses assessment information for decision making.

• Implements and facilitates services to individuals or student groups in accordance with assessment data results and their cognitive, affective, and social development

• Uses assessment data to modify strategies/interventions/services/programs

• Uses assessment information to make counseling/psychological recommendations or decisions in the best interest of the students/school/district

• Uses assessment information to aid students and families in educational planning and decision making

• Considers the emotional, social, and academic needs of students regarding assessment results

• Interprets data for appropriate identification, placement, or referral for medical professional assessments/interventions

Comments

A-4: The educational specialist uses evaluation to improve the delivery of services.

• Uses a variety of methods/assessments to determine the effectiveness of services and programs provided

• Acquires feedback from administration, staff, students, and families on counseling/psychology services and programs

• Makes necessary revisions pertaining to the evaluation results

Comments

Collaboration

C-1: The educational specialist consults with students, families, and school staff to assist in meeting needs of students.

• Serves as a resource for families regarding counseling/psychological issues for students

• Considers/recommends parent requests for services, and pursues an advocacy role for student and family when appropriate

• Assists families/staff in finding available counseling/psychological resources

• Provides programs/workshops for parents/school personnel when appropriate

Comments

C-2: The educational specialist seeks input from school personnel concerning functioning of school programs.

• Collaborates with school staff and other service providers to reach educational/emotional/social/developmental decisions in the best interest of the student

• Serves on school-based committees and attends meetings/conferences when required/requested

• Provides assistance to teacher/teams in planning educational strategies for students

Comments

C-3: The educational specialist serves as a liaison between the school and relevant community services and/or agencies to facilitate services.

• Establishes/maintains collaborative relationships with other service providers to facilitate program/service integration

• Works with community agencies for effective use of their resources and facilities

• Promotes/participates in community activities/groups as a representative of the school

• Communicates with community counselors and psychologists regarding student/family counseling/interventions

Comments

C-4: The educational specialist uses effective communication techniques.

• Demonstrates positive interpersonal communication skills with students, families, personnel, and community

• Initiates communication with parents, school personnel, and community agencies when appropriate

• Responds promptly to student, family, and staff concerns

• Informs and involves students and parents in counseling/psychology program

• Uses effective written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills

Comments

Professionalism

P-1: The educational specialist adheres to professional, legal, and ethical standards.

• Demonstrates good character/integrity, assumes responsibility for personal actions, and maintains a professional appearance

• Upholds professional standards of the psychology profession

• Maintains confidentiality in the delivery of counseling/psychological services to the school community in accordance with professional standards

• Represents the school/district favorably in the school/division/community

Comments

P-2: The educational specialist demonstrates professional growth through participating in a meaningful and continuous process of professional development.

• Participates in workshops, seminars, continuing education courses in professional counseling, psychology, and education as appropriate

• Maintains proper licensure and certification

• Uses self-evaluation to identify personal strengths and weaknesses

• Continues to pursue educational studies to explore and apply knowledge about new or improved techniques and strategies

• Trains others/shares professional perspectives and knowledge through publications/presentations

• Contributes to the professional development of others through sharing of expertise

Comments

P-3: The educational specialist fosters an organized and positive environment.

• Promotes quality of services and programs

• Ensures a clean, safe, organized, helpful, and appropriate environment for working with students

• Promotes practices that help students and families of all backgrounds feel welcomed and appreciated in the school community

• Enforces rules of conduct/standards of acceptable behavior

Comments

Additional Notes

by James H. Stronge and Pamela D. Tucker, 2003, Eye On Education, Larchmont, NY