Psychological Services

Atlanta Publics Schools' Psychological Services team is comprised of 54 school psychologists and three (3) interns. Our team collaborates with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all APS students.  

About School Psychologists   

School psychologists work with students, educators, and families to support the academic achievement, positive behavior, and mental wellness of all students, especially those who struggle with barriers to learning.  They help schools and families address some of our biggest challenges in education: improving and individualizing instruction to close the achievement gap; increasing graduation rates and preventing dropouts; creating safe, positive school climates and preventing violence; providing meaningful accountability; and strengthening family–school partnerships (NASP, 2008).   

According to the Georgia Department of Education's website, school psychologists are the most highly trained personnel in education and are employed in Georgia schools in order to prevent or address the most severe learning and behavior problems. Their training is specific to applying this expertise within the school context, both general education and special education, and also includes extensive knowledge in school systems and law (NASP 2010a, 2010b).    

School Psychologists Are Experts In   

• Mental Health   
• Learning, Assessment, & Interventions   
• Behavior   
• School Systems  

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS WORK WITH STUDENTS TO:   

• Provide counseling, instruction, and mentoring for those struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral problems  
• Increase achievement by assessing barriers to learning and determining the best instructional strategies to improve learning  
• Promote wellness and resilience by reinforcing communication and social skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, self-determination, and optimism  
• Enhance understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures and backgrounds     

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS WORK WITH PARENTS AND FAMILIES TO:    

• Identify and address learning and behavior problems that interfere with school success  
• Evaluate eligibility for special education services (within a multidisciplinary team)  
• Support students' social, emotional, and behavioral health  
• Teach parenting skills and enhance home–school collaboration  
• Make referrals and help coordinate community support services  

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS WORK WITH TEACHERS TO:   

• Identify and resolve academic barriers to learning  
• Design and implement student progress monitoring systems  
• Design and implement academic and behavioral interventions  
• Support effective individualized instruction  
• Create positive classroom environments  
• Motivate all students to engage in learning   

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS WORK WITH ADMINISTRATORS TO:   

• Collect and analyze data related to school improvement, student outcomes, and accountability requirements  
• Implement school-wide prevention programs that help maintain positive school climates conducive to learning  
• Promote school policies and practices that ensure the safety of all students by reducing school violence, bullying, and harassment  
• Respond to crises by providing leadership, direct services, and coordination with needed community services  
• Design, implement, and garner support for comprehensive school mental health programming