Article archive / April 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 8. Source pages: 1, 5.
During the recent Long-Range Planning meeting of the state psychology board, Dr. Steven Welsh spoke to board members about the specialist in school psychology. Dr. Welsh, retired Dean of Education at Nicholls State University and licensed school psychologist, outlined for board members certain issues during the agenda topic, “Multi-Level Licensure.” Dr. Welsh was an invited speaker at the March 14 meeting.
Following Welsh’s presentation and general discussion the board decided to form a task group of key individuals to examine ideas of a certification or license opportunity for school psychology specialists under the state psychology board.
Last week the Times asked Executive Director of the psychology board, Kelly Parker, about the plans for the task force. “Dr. Culross is going to be the lead for the Board,” Parker noted. “Dr. Connie Patterson and Dr. Steven Welsh will also be on the school specialist task force along with an LPA representative. There may be a couple other members as well,” she said.
At the Long-Range meeting, Dr. Welsh spoke about several issues. “Access to these school psychology services is an issue,” he said, noting to the board members that access in schools across the state and especially in the charter schools is of concern to many.
He explained that there is a regression to the “old model” where people may come in and do testing without a broader understanding of the theory and practice of psychology, and that there was a need for correction in this trend.
He identified problems with Medicaid reimbursement and pointed to benefits for schools and students, as well as psychologists, if changes could be made in this area.
The psychology board briefly discussed the Texas Licensed School Specialist approach, and Welsh said that this model was not the best one in his view.
This was the first time in 30 years, Welsh said, that he or someone from the Louisiana School Psychological Association had been officially asked to talk with the psychology board.
Currently there is no avenue for the independent practice of the specialist in school psychology in Louisiana.
The specialist degree in school psychology is offered by LSU–Shreveport and by Nicholls State University.
The specialist in school psychologist requires 72 hours of graduate training and 1200 hours supervised practice.
Dr. Welsh has served as Department head for the Department of Psychology and Counselor Education at Nicholls. And more recently, he served as interim Dean of the College of Education.
LSBEP Executive Director Parker noted that she anticipates the task force will begin in June or July this year.
Dr. Steven Welsh speaks to the psychology board about the specialist in school psychology. Dr. Janet Matthews listens.
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