This study examined the identification frameworks, specific models, and assessment practices used by school psychologists to identify students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) in public schools in the United States. We surveyed school psychologist practitioners using an online survey, conducted a review of state regulations addressing SLD, and evaluated the effects of state-level policies and school psychologists' characteristics on identification practices. Responses from more than 1,300 school psychologists revealed that multiple SLD identification frameworks are utilized and that state regulations generally have stronger effects on identification practices than do characteristics such as school psychologists' age, highest degree obtained, and years of experience. Frameworks with well-known psychometric limitations, such as those employing intelligence-achievement discrepancy formulas, remain commonly employed. We encourage more and better scientific research into both the conceptual and psychometric outcomes associated with SLD identification frameworks and urge application of evidence-based practices in the assessment and treatment of academic deficits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

This study explores the relationship between discipline and perception of school climate among students in Grades 5 through 12 (N= 769). Students reported how many times they got in trouble (i.e., sent to the office, detention, suspension) and rated their perceptions of school climate overall and on specific subscales. The results suggest that students with no contact with school discipline had more positive perceptions of overall school climate as well as teacher–student relations, student–student relations, emotional engagement, positive behavioral techniques, clarity of expectations, and the use of social emotional learning techniques than students who reported any contact with school discipline. Results suggest that discipline infractions are associated with more negative perceptions of school climate and provide a rationale for the use of proactive approaches to school discipline as a way to enhance student perceptions of school climate.

Family–school partnership has consistently been associated with positive student outcomes. Unfortunately, efforts to engage parents are often demanding, with limited planning around reinforcement needed to sustain participation. The study purpose was to evaluate a behavioral approach to enhance teacher–parent communication and improve student on-task classroom behavior. Positive Parent Contact (PPC) required teachers to recognize positive behavior of a student identified for additional behavioral supports and report positive incidents to parents through two weekly emails. A multiple-baseline design was used with five participant triads (teacher, student, and parent) from two elementary schools. Visual analysis and descriptive statistics showed increased on-task behavior based on observations conducted during challenging classroom routines. Non-overlap of all pairs’ effects ranged from .67 to .90, with a combined effect of .75 (Hedges g). Results suggest that PPC improved on-task classroom behavior, and reciprocal parent–teacher communication was enhanced. Parents and teachers reported that PPC was feasible and acceptable. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Successful coping with academic demands is important given the inverse relationship between stress and positive adjustment in adolescents. The Coping With Academic Demands Scale (CADS) is a new measure of coping appropriate for students pursuing advanced high school curricula, specifically Advanced Placement (AP) classes and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. We developed the CADS in parallel with a new measure of stress designed for this same population. We generated an initial item pool using multiple sources including focus groups and individual interviews with 177 students, 72 teachers, and 47 parents. Multiple iterations of expert review and item analyses resulted in 120 items, which were completed by 727 high school students in six schools (312 IB, 415 not in IB but taking at least one AP class). Exploratory factor analyses and additional item review indicated a 16-factor solution with 58 items. Cronbach’s alpha reliabilities for the factors ranged from .53 to .90, with 11 factors exceeding .70. All 16 factors had test–retest reliabilities greater than .70. Support for the construct validity of the CADS scores was provided using a nomological network, which specified relationships between the CADS and broader dimensions of school-related coping dimensions (task, avoidance, and emotion-oriented), as well as indicators of achievement (grade point averages) and mental health (life satisfaction). An additional seven items that were not part of the 16-factor CADS, but which were identified as relevant in different phases of instrument development, are provided as a resource for researchers.