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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

How/why does a student see the School Psychologist? 
Students may be referred to the School Psychologist to resolve academic, emotional, behavioral, or social issues that may come up throughout the year.  This can be a self-referral, or a request from a parent, teacher, or administrator. Students may also have a re-evaluation of special education services approaching, which is state mandated in order to update testing and determine the appropriateness of a students classification and services.
 
What does a psychoeducational evaluation consist of? 
The contents of an evaluation often depend on the nature of the issue at hand. However, most evaluations consist of the following:
  • a records review
  • an observation
  • cognitive testing
  • academic testing
  • teacher rating/interview
  • student interview
  • parent rating/interview

The purpose of these measures is to determine a students previous history, as well as to assess his/her current academic, behavioral, and social/emotional functioning. The results are comprised into a comprehensive report that is CONFIDENTIAL and used to inform intervention.

Are evaluation results confidential?
 

 All psychological files are stored in locked filing cabinets in the Special Education office. All evaluations conducted by the School Psychologist are kept confidential. Only individuals who have a legitimate right and need to know will be allowed supervised access to this information. If the student is being evaluated for special education services, the Director of Special Education also keeps a copy of the report in secure filing cabinets in the Committee on Special Education Office. Teachers who work with this student will be provided supervised access to the file if there is a legitimate need for further information. This information, however, is more typically conveyed by the assigned special education teacher or school psychologist.

Are discussions with the School Psychologists confidential?
 

Absolutely! Whatever is shared with Mrs. Lega and Mrs. O'Connor is between the student and school psychologist. This information is not, and cannot be, shared with other students, parents and/or teachers, unless the student says that he/she would like them to do so. The same rules apply to conversations with parents and teachers.

There are only three occasions where the School Psychologist  will be obligated, and bound by state law and professional ethics, to break confidentiality and inform someone else of what we had discussed. These three instance  are related to safety issues. The three types of cases where confidentiality must be broken:

1.      If an individual reveals information about harm to him/herself or to any other person.

2.      If an individual reveals information about child abuse.

3.      If an individual reveals information about criminal activity or the court subpoenas counseling records.