Allies or Antagonists: Alberta Elementary Teachers’ Current Perceptions of School Psychologists
Abstract
Using a mixed-methods design, the present study investigates Alberta elementary teachers’ perceptions of school psychologists, specifically examining their knowledge about school psychologists and school psychological services, teachers’ experience and use of these services, and their satisfaction and recommendations for improving school psychological services. A sample of 90 elementary teachers across 13 school boards in Alberta participated in this study. Results indicated teachers reported having little to some knowledge about school psychologists but have a narrow view of these services. There was little consistency on when to contact a school psychologist, but teachers typically contact school psychologists for specific services, rather than based on level of student severity. Overall, teachers were satisfied with the services provided by school psychologists but had several recommendations for improvements to how school psychologists can better support teachers and improvements to school psychological services in general.
Description
Keywords
Educational Psychology
Citation
Craig, H. L. (2016). Allies or Antagonists: Alberta Elementary Teachers’ Current Perceptions of School Psychologists (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/24771