Forging Futures

How Idaho’s Only School Psychology Program is Combating Mental Health Shortages in Schools

by Aubi Moon

As the mental health crisis and burnout in P-12 teachers continues to grow nationwide, Idaho’s only school psychology program is graduating candidates who can support P-12 schools and students. The Idaho State University School Psychology Program prepares students to support social, behavioral, and academic success in P-12 environments.

School psychologists are in high demand as more students face mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges in the classroom. Because insurance is required for most outside mental health services, school psychologists are critical in providing those services to students in P-12 schools, especially in underserved populations. They also provide academic and behavioral support and intervention planning, helping foster understanding between teachers and parents and creating unified support systems for students.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recommends one school psychologist for every 500 students. Currently, there is only one school psychologist for every 1,700 students in Idaho. This shortage has likely limited access to vital services, such as psychoeducational assessments, behavioral and academic consultations, crisis intervention and relief, and school culture improvements.

The ISU School Psychology program is hoping to combat the shortage by graduating certified school psychologists who are well trained to facilitate positive change in P-12 environments and communities. The program combines traditional instruction with hands-on opportunities that allow candidates to perform proactive and preventative services that meet the needs of P-12 students.

Dr. Joel Bocanegra, who serves as an associate professor in the school psychology program, believes the shortage is partially due to a lack of awareness in Idaho regarding the demand for school psychologists and what the work involves.

“We can’t stop what is happening in the home or outside world sometimes, but we can influence them in the school environment,” said Bocanegra. “We know that school is a safe space for students, and school psychologists play a critical role in ensuring that students are getting fed, they are safe, they are warm, they are loved, and supported.”

The required field experiences for the school psychology program provide candidates with real world experiences in P-12 schools, often through full-time paid internships. Candidates perform a wide range of services as they work one-on-one with students on their level either in the classroom setting, on the playground, in the lunchroom, or in an office environment.

Upon becoming practicing school psychologists, these candidates benefit from having been trained in a variety of multidisciplinary functions to provide exceptional support to students, parents, and teachers. This could include social/emotional training, leading anti-bullying initiatives, working with parents to manage learning and emotional problems, helping with emergent bilingual students, and implementing violence, drug, or alcohol prevention programs.

“We know that not everyone has the same needs, and we don’t assume all the problems are within the child. That is why we look at the system and the teachers, principals, and one’s home life. We then provide an intervention plan to empower our parents, teachers and children,” said Dr. Howard Fan, professor and chair of the School Psychology and Educational Leadership Department within the ISU College of Education.

As the field has been expanding and mental health is taking a bigger role in schools, school psychology candidates are often granted interim certifications in their practicum or internship and offered a position within the district following their graduation. For both Fan and Bocanegra, they believe that school psychologists hold the key in improving mental health care in Idaho that could lead to a multigenerational impact. School psychologists can also prove to be critical in preventing burnout in teachers and administrations by facilitating systematic changes to provide much-needed support.

With nearly 100% job placements upon graduation, the ISU School Psychology program is offered fully online with a new cohort starting each summer. The stackable, 3-year program allows students to complete the Master of Education (MEd) in the School Psychology Examiner program and then they can enter the Educational Specialist (EdS) in School Psychology program to become a nationally-certified school psychologist. The program enrolls 8-12 students per year with a preference given to those with an education or psychology bachelor’s degree. Given recent demand, the program is looking to expand and accept more students in upcoming years.

Scholarship opportunities are available for in-state and out-of-state students. In addition, all graduate applications within the College of Education, including the school psychology program, are free for students who apply in 2023.

“In this profession, the students that need the most help are probably getting the least. Research has shown if you can catch a student early on before they fall behind, they can do better. As the only school psychology program in Idaho, if you want to make a change at a critical time in a student’s life and have an impact on them forever, then school psychology is for you.”

Dr. Joel Bocanegra