Article archive / June 1, 2014
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 10. Source pages: 1, 3.
Legislature Ends this Week License for Specialist in School Psychology Amended, Passed, and Signed by Gov. Jindal
A measure that will provide an optional credential, the “Licensed Specialist in School Psychology,” was passed into law when Governor Jindal signed the bill on May 22, turning it into Act 136. The new credential will fall under the state psychology board and the law will go into effect on August 1, 2014.
The bill sailed through the legislative process without significant changes until it reached the House floor on May 7, where an amendment by Senator Julie Stokes from Kenner added medical psychologists to those who supervise the new school psychology specialists. The bill passed 93 to 0, and was returned to the Senate floor, where it passed in final form, 38 to 1. The new law does not limit the duties of those school psychologists certified by the state. And, those with the new license will not diagnose mental disorders as defined by the DSM or ICD, or work independently in private practice. However, the credential may provide more options for specialists in school psychology and services overall.
“Relative to my viewpoint,” noted E. Francoise Parr, Past- President for the Louisiana School Psychological Association, “it appears that many PhD level, as well as specialist level school psychologists are in support of the Act for two primary reasons: It will allow those who seek licensure as Specialist School Psychologist to enter into contract with charter/private/parochial schools to provide LA Bulletin 1508 compliant evaluations and other school psychological services –within the scope of school psychology practice.
“And,” she said, “it will offer more billing opportunities with Medicaid reimbursement in the public school systems for services which school psychologists already provide.”
Parr was a member of the task force formed by the state psychology board and led by Dr. Rita Culross of Louisiana State University. The group produced a report about the issues in the state regarding school psychology services that highlighted a severe shortage of psychological services for school children throughout the state. They reported that there are only 69 psychologists with a specialty in school, licensed by the psychology board and residing in the state. And, only 17 of the 64 parishes have a local school psychologist in the area. While there are 240 certified school psychologists in Louisiana, none of these can practice outside of a public school.
The task force members also pointed out that in a population of 690,000 students in Louisiana schools, the ratio of certified school psychologists to Louisiana students is 1 to 2875 and the ratio of licensed school psychologists is 1 to 10,000 or greater.
Psychology Board Executive Director Kelly Parker told the Times last month that the board is already preparing to work on Rules to go with the new law.
Above, Executive Director Kelly Parker provides information as Senator Martiny listens. Members of the LSBEP task force and psychology board staff who helped on the issues of school psychology specialists. (L to R) Dr. Stephen Welsh, Kelly Parker, Deborah Harkins, and Dr. Rita Culross. Here they completed providing information to legislators about a bill or to be on hand if needed.
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