School Psychologist Externship

ABOUT OUR DISTRICT:

The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a new phase of innovation and transformation with the goal of ensuring that all students graduate high school with the skills needed to be ready for college and career. For Syracuse, all means all. The School Board and Syracuse community have charged the Superintendent with improving student achievement, and she is seeking a dedicated and diverse team of educators to partner with her in moving the district toward its goals.

The Syracuse City School District represents 35 schools and programs, including 6 high schools, 6 middle schools, 6 K-8 schools, 13 elementary schools, and 4 alternative education programs, serving approximately 19,000 students Pre-K–12. Of these students, 82.3% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, 20.1% are served by the Office of Special Education, and 83% are students of color.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The School Psychologist Extern applies theory, principles, and methodology to assess, formulate, implement, and evaluate plans of action based on students' needs and strengths.  The School Psychologist Extern will facilitate the learning, social-emotional, and adaptive functioning of students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.  A School Psychologist Extern intervenes to address the mental, social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental conditions and disabilities experienced by students within our school communities as outlined in the Syracuse City School District Practitioners Model for Evaluation.  Due to the necessity of working with families and community-based agencies to provide and/or coordinate comprehensive evaluation services for students, a School Psychologist Extern’s work hours may at times occur outside traditional school hours requiring a flexible work schedule.  

SUMMARY OF STUDENT RESPONSIBILIITES/OPPORTUNITIES:

Site is seeking conscientious doctoral-level students who have interest in long-term school-based practice to complete an externship in the Syracuse City School District.  School-based application of research-based best practices in assessment and intervention driven by data-based decision-making will be expected. Extern will administer and interpret curriculum-based assessments (Reading, Math, Writing), as well as review school-collected data (e.g., DIBELS, Lexia, NWEA) to assist in academic problem-solving within an MTSS model. Various forms of behavioral assessment, including FBAs, will be conducted to assist the school team in designing individualized behavior plans to be implemented with integrity. Extern will be expected to conduct initial evaluations as well as re-evaluations for students potentially eligible for Special Education.  This will involve standardized testing of cognitive ability and academic achievement, observations in the school setting, and collection of teacher-, parent-, and student rating scales.  Data will be collected and represented in psycho-educational evaluation reports and reviewed with school teams, including the Committee on Special Education (CSE).

DETAILED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assessment and Interpretation
  • Identifies and assesses the learning, development, and social-emotional functioning and needs of individuals and groups as well as the environmental factors that affect learning
  • Conducts psycho-educational assessments appropriate to the focus of concern and in accordance with prevailing professional standards
  • Conducts assessments with consideration of the characteristics of the student or group of students including ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, and handicapping considerations
  • Assists in identifying factors in the learning environment that may affect the student and assessing the degree of impact
  • Integrates data from assessment procedures and develops hypotheses relative to: (1) instructional and educational programming and (2) program eligibility and placement
     
• Direct intervention for Students
  • Provides academic or social-emotional-behavioral interventions to students to support instructional processes and to maximize learning and adjustment
  • Teaches students how to develop effective learning strategies, adaptive skills, and pro-social skills
  • Counsels students on educational and personal adjustment issues
  • Evaluates effectiveness of individual and group interventions and modifies interventions based on data collected
  • Uses assessment data about the student and the environment(s) to develop appropriate interventions and programs
  • Crisis intervention
  • Suicide assessment
  • Collaborate to develop and monitor Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals and behavior plans.
  • Attend parent-teacher conferences as needed
  • Attend team meetings as needed
  • District crisis team member
  • Collaborate with all school personnel to assess student’s social/emotional obstacles to academic success
  • Consult with therapists, doctors, parents, child protective, law guardians, family court
  • Develop/facilitate/coordinate prevention activities and intervention strategies that include Non-Violence services, programs and training
  • Work collaboratively with college/university partners on District initiatives