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Panel Discussion: From Chaos Come Resolutions Student Perspective. Gena N. Ehrhardt Indiana State University Student Affiliates in School Psychology. On-Site Student Participants. 5 female students Ethnicity 2 African American 1 Hispanic/Caucasian 2 Caucasian
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Panel Discussion: From Chaos Come ResolutionsStudent Perspective Gena N. Ehrhardt Indiana State University Student Affiliates in School Psychology
On-Site Student Participants • 5 female students • Ethnicity • 2 African American • 1 Hispanic/Caucasian • 2 Caucasian • All participants had experience in schools prior to entering their training programs.
Acceptance as Participants • All students felt that they were equal contributors to their group discussions. • This was a forum where questions could be asked that might not have been in any other arena. • Students were optimistic that more student involvement will occur in a future conference. • This was an ideal situation where students could learn about what is going on in other programs and school districts. • The authors of textbooks are real people. • People were accessible and approachable.
Surprised Reactions • What is taught in training programs is not what is done in schools. • Thought that more time was spent on consultation, counseling, FBA, and intervention-based practices • We say that we need to take a leadership role in schools, but the textbooks already say that we do. • The percentage of students graduating from training programs is not keeping up with the rate of professionals retiring in the field.
Cultural Issues • The majority of the children in special education are ethnic minorities, but the majority of the school psychologists are ethnic majorities. • Does the education of ethnic students in training programs adequately meet their needs? • Do we appreciate cultural differences?
How can you know that a difference exists if you didn’t know it exists?
Foreseeable Results • New directions and implications for future training. • Programs with fewer course requirements will be challenged in adequately meeting the training needs for future school psychologists. • Practitioners, professors, and professional organizations may begin mentoring and providing a support system for ethnic students and professionals. • Theories can be integrated into a setting where they can be applied. • New perspectives on abilities and differences can be emphasized to maximize learning and affirm students for who they are as contributing members of society.
“I’m excited about the future!” “When I leave conferences, I think I should…now I think I want to.” Virginia Smith Harvey