The role and function of the school psychologist in the 21st century: a literature review

Abstract

This study will look at the literature examining the past, present, and future role of the school psychologist. It also will investigate how the role is related to the ten domains identified by the National Association of School Psychologist’s (NASP’s) School Psychology: A Blueprint for Training and Practice (Blueprint II) (Ysseldyke et al., 1997). In the past, the role of the school psychologist has been closely tied to assessing and diagnosing children with special needs. In Blueprint II, however, the authors argue that societal, political, and economical changes have created a need for a further examination of the role and function of current and future school psychologists. The purpose of this study is to review the literature to determine what practicing school psychologists and policy makers believe regarding the role and function of school psychologists. This study also will look at what these individuals believe about the traditional role and the need for role expansion. A critical analysis will interpret the findings of the literature review and determine what further research would contribute to our knowledge about the future role of the school psychologist.