Occupation · SOC 19-3034
School Psychologists
Diagnose and implement individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.
Median wage
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Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
150 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessWritingJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
PsychologyTherapy and CounselingEducation and TrainingSociology and AnthropologyCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing softwareVideo conferencing softwareComputer based training software
Representative tasks
Compile and interpret students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.Select, administer, and score psychological tests.Interpret test results and prepare psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.Assess an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.Develop individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.Counsel children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.Provide consultation to parents, teachers, administrators, and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques.Collaborate with other educational professionals to develop teaching strategies and school programs.Design classes and programs to meet the needs of special students.Promote an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and behavior.Attend workshops, seminars, or professional meetings to remain informed of new developments in school psychology.Refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, or social services.Serve as a resource to help families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss.Initiate and direct efforts to foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in school communities.Provide educational programs on topics such as classroom management, teaching strategies, or parenting skills.Conduct research to generate new knowledge that can be used to address learning and behavior issues.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Psychological test administration — select and administer standardized assessments under clinical supervision in a school-based practicum setting.Student test records — compile and organize raw assessment data under the direction of a supervising psychologist for eligibility reviews.Observation protocols — conduct structured classroom observations following established procedures to gather behavioral baseline data.School records review — examine cumulative academic and behavioral records under guidance to support initial psychoeducational evaluations.Mandatory reporting obligations — identify and report indicators of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse to the appropriate school authority following legal protocols.Parent and teacher interviews — gather background information through structured consultations under supervision to inform diagnostic impressions.Electronic case management systems — enter and retrieve confidential student records using database and word processing software in compliance with FERPA guidelines.Psychological test scoring — score and tabulate standardized assessment instruments accurately under supervision using established normative frameworks.Active listening in student contacts — apply foundational counseling listening techniques during brief, supervised student interactions in school office settings.Basic psychological report writing — draft preliminary sections of psychoeducational reports under close review by a licensed supervising psychologist.
developing
Psychoeducational evaluations — independently administer and score a full battery of psychological tests to assess learning and behavioral needs across K–12 settings.Diagnostic synthesis — interpret student test results alongside teacher and parent input to formulate diagnoses and eligibility determinations for special education services.Confidential records management — maintain accurate special education reports, behavioral data, and service logs in compliance with IDEA and state regulations.Psychological report preparation — write clear, well-organized psychoeducational reports communicating assessment findings and recommendations to teachers, administrators, and parents.IEP collaboration — contribute meaningfully to individualized education plan development by sharing assessment data with multidisciplinary teams in school meetings.Short-term student counseling — provide focused counseling interventions to children and families addressing learning difficulties and adjustment challenges in school-based settings.Social-emotional screening — apply standardized rating scales and behavioral observation systems to identify students at risk in general education environments.Consultation with school personnel — advise teachers and support staff on evidence-based classroom strategies informed by individual student assessment results.Time and caseload management — prioritize referrals, evaluations, and counseling caseloads independently within established school-year timelines and legal deadlines.Video conferencing and remote assessment — conduct parent consultations and team meetings using video conferencing software to support hybrid service delivery models.
proficient
Comprehensive differential diagnosis — integrate multi-source data from psychometric testing, observation, and consultation to diagnose complex psychological and neurodevelopmental conditions across diverse student populations.Non-routine eligibility decisions — navigate ambiguous or contested special education eligibility cases autonomously, applying critical thinking and legal knowledge to reach defensible determinations.Advanced psychoeducational reporting — produce sophisticated, legally compliant psychological reports that translate complex findings into actionable recommendations for educators and families.Individualized education plan leadership — lead the development of comprehensive IEPs for students with high-complexity needs, coordinating input from multidisciplinary teams across school and community settings.Trauma-informed counseling — deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions for children presenting with trauma, anxiety, or behavioral disorders within a full-service school psychology caseload.Crisis assessment and intervention — conduct independent threat and suicide risk assessments and implement crisis intervention protocols in acute school safety situations.Systemic consultation — provide expert consultation to building-level administrators on school-wide mental health, learning environment design, and behavioral support systems.Data-driven program evaluation — use analytical and spreadsheet software to analyze outcome data and evaluate the effectiveness of psychological and special education services.Family and community engagement — facilitate difficult conversations with families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds to align school and home support strategies.Professional ethics navigation — resolve complex ethical dilemmas involving confidentiality, dual roles, and consent independently in accordance with NASP and APA ethical standards.
advanced
District-wide assessment framework — design and lead the implementation of a comprehensive, equity-focused psychoeducational evaluation system across an entire school district.Special education policy development — shape local and district policy on eligibility, placement, and services by synthesizing legal, empirical, and ethical knowledge at an administrative level.School psychology program leadership — direct a team of school psychologists, setting professional standards, caseload policies, and quality benchmarks across multiple buildings.Supervision and mentorship — provide structured clinical supervision and career mentorship to early-career school psychologists and interns within an approved supervisory framework.Multi-tiered systems of support — architect and lead district-wide MTSS frameworks that integrate academic, behavioral, and mental health supports using data-informed decision-making.Organizational training and professional development — design and deliver evidence-based training programs for educators and administrators on psychological principles, trauma-informed care, and inclusive practice.Community and agency partnership — establish formal interagency collaborations with mental health providers, juvenile justice, and social services to extend school-based psychological support.Research and knowledge translation — lead applied research initiatives within the school system and disseminate findings to inform practice improvements at regional or national levels.Equity and inclusion advocacy — champion systemic changes to reduce disproportionate identification and placement of marginalized student groups through data analysis and stakeholder negotiation.Strategic crisis preparedness — develop and institutionalize district-level crisis response plans, training all school psychological staff and coordinating with law enforcement and community agencies.
Also known as
82 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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