RIT - School Psychology Program

FALL QUARTER 2011-12
Section 01: Monday 6:00 pm – 7:50 pm; 1-3367
Section 02: Wednesday 6:00 pm – 7:50 pm; 1-3367

Credit Hours:             2
Prerequisite(s):           Matriculation into School Psychology Program
Course taught by:       Arturo Kiyama
                                    axkgsp@rit.edu
                                    475-4752
1-3254
Office Hours: Wednesday: 10:00am – 12:00pm
                        Thursday: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
                        -or by Appointment

Required Text:
Fagan, T. K. & Wise, P. S. (2007). School Psychology: Past, Present and Future (3rd ed.). Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.

	Contact hours	Maximum students/section
Classroom	2 hours	10 per section
Lab
Studio
Field Work	6 hours

Students required to take this course:
This course is only open to fully matriculated school psychology students who are required to take this course.

The primary goal for the first year practicum experience is to provide students with the opportunity to observe schools and school psychologists in action. In this three–course sequence you will participate in supervised field experiences in school settings along with integrative on-campus seminars.

During the first year practicum you will participate in activities enabling you to obtain first-hand knowledge and familiarity with a) schools as systems, b) the role and function of the school psychologist, c) collaborative problem solving, d) counseling, 3) teaching processes, and f) other relevant professional and legal issues. In the first quarter you will be doing functional assessments, classroom observations, and possibly some achievement testing. In the second quarter you will do more teacher consultation and by the third quarter you will be doing more counseling. The learning goals will fall within the eight NASP domains of training (See Practicum Handbook) and will provide you with the fundamental building blocks for effective school psychology practice.

You will begin to gain an understanding of and sensitivity to the culturally diverse student populations that we have in the Greater Rochester Area.

You are expected to spend one full school day (6 hours) per week in your field placements (10 days). These periods correspond with the RIT fall, winter and spring quarters. If you are unable to attend on a scheduled day, you must notify your field supervisor in advance and schedule a make-up day. Additionally the filed supervisor may suggest deviations from the established routine to expose you to special events that may prove valuable learning experiences.

Best Practices in School Psychology V (2008). Alex Thomas, & Jeff Grimes (Eds).
Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists

The intended learning outcomes are to develop skills in the eight domains of school psychology training and practice. These eight domains include 1) interpersonal and collaborative skills, 2) diversity awareness and sensitive service delivery, 3) technological applications, 4) professional, legal, ethical, and social responsibility, 5) data-based decision making and accountability 6) systems-based service delivery, 7) enhancing the development of cognitive and academic skills, and 8) enhancing the development of wellness, social skills, and life competencies.

The Practicum I Plan outlines required activities for this 2-quarter (fall-winter) rotation and the domains addressed by each activity. During the first or second meeting with your field supervisor, discuss and develop an outline of any additional activities that you will accomplish during the current quarter – based on your needs, expectations and on what your specific placement can provide. At the end of the quarter, students and their field supervisors will review the plan, initializing those activities completed.

Additionally at the end of each quarter your supervisor will review your skill performance as outlined in the evaluation form included in the Practicum Handbook.

As pre-service professionals, members of this class will be asked to sign and abide by a confidentiality agreement which will cover all sessions of the class. The professor will retain the signed agreement, which is worded as follows:

As a practicum student I may become privy to certain sensitive and/or confidential information discussed both in my practicum site and practicum course. As a member of this course, I agree to abide by the legal and ethical guidelines of confidentiality regarding all disclosures shared in this group and in individual practicum settings. I am aware that when discussing sensitive and/or confidential information outside of practicum seminar I should use fictitious names and/or refrain from using any identifiable information; this includes the names of classmates, supervisors, or any individual (i.e. student, parents, teacher, etc.) I may interact within during my practicum. I understand that discussions outside of the classroom include conversations, documents (i.e. your practicum reflection papers), computer files, and e-mails. This agreement works to establish a setting where I, as a practicum student, feel comfortable sharing my experiences with my peers.

Course Requirements:
Practicum Hour Log
You will keep a systematic log documenting your activities while you are in your field placement. One complete school day per week for the duration of the current quarter needs to be accounted for (60 hours total). Please keep a running log of your hours at your field placement in addition to the hourly log. This log will include date, hours, activities, and supervisor’s initials. At the top of the log you will document both the hours for that day and the total quarter hours.
Practicum Reflection
For the first year practicum experience you will write (type) weekly reflection entries approximately 1 page in length. You may pick one activity or experience and reflect on that experience. Take time to reflect and integrate the experience. Please try to type these reflections as soon as possible after your practicum day.
Reflections need to be submitted to the course instructor promptly on a weekly basis. On the weeks that the class meets online these reflections will be posted by Wednesdays at 12:00.

Your participation grade is determined by your participation in both field and class activities. Your class participation grade is based on your active engagement with the class discussions. When the class meets online you are expected to post your own reflection, and read and respond to your peers’ and instructors’ comments. Participation points are based on your exploration and support of issues as well as your suggestions or resources.

At the end of each quarter your field supervisor needs to fill out the evaluation form ( see attached form). You should then sit down and review your progress together. You and your supervisor will also review the Practicum Placement Plan and your supervisor will initialize activities that you have completed.

At the end of each placement (for some of you that will be the end of fall quarter, for others that will be the end of winter quarter) please fill out a student evaluation (see Practicum Handbook) of your supervisor and the placement.
COURSE EVALUATION

9/12-9/14         Meet in sections

9/19-9/21         Meet online. Post reflections by Thursday at 4:00pm

10/3-10/5         Meet in sections

10/10-10/12     Meet online. Post reflections by Thursday at 4:00pm

Due by November 17th by 4:30pm: Supervisor evaluation, Placement Plan (reviewed and initialized), Weekly Logs (If there is a conflict let me know as soon as you know)