Primary Purpose:

Implement the special education evaluation process.  Access the educational, learning styles, and program needs of students referred to special education services.  Provide diagnostic information and work cooperatively with instructional personnel to provide the most appropriate programs for students with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications for Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (and LSSP Interns): 

  Education/Certification:  

Master’s Degree in School Psychology or related field

Valid Texas license as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychologist (LSSP)

Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50) paid by employee.

Required Experience:

No prior experience necessary

Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of diagnostic procedures and education of special education students.

Knowledge of human development and learning theories

Knowledge of emotional/social/behavior

Counseling and consultation coursework

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Proficient in Microsoft office skills

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required)

Professionalism

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Instructional Management

The LSSP promotes improvement of instruction through activities such as the following:

• Collects and organizes relevant assessment data from student’s cumulative folder, classroom teacher(s), principal, support staff, parents, and outside resource providers.
• Conducts classroom observation and student, staff, and parent interviews.
• Participates in the Individual Education Plan Committee to committee to communicate findings of assessment data in language that is understandable to staff and parents, and assist with appropriate placement, and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures.
• Receives student referrals and implement the evaluation process.
• Selects and administers formal and informal assessments to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and Texas Education Agency regulations.

Organization Management

The LSSP manages administrative, fiscal, and facilities functions responsibly through activities such as the following:

• As a member of the Psychological Services team, assists in the selection of assessment materials and equipment.
• Compiles, maintains, and files all reports, records, and other documents required.
• Complies with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
• Complies with district, state, and federal policy in the areas of assessment, placement, and planning for special education services within specified timelines.
• Develops and maintains effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.

Organization Climate

The LSSP fosters a positive school or organization morale through activities such as the following:

• Attends Individual Education Plan meetings as necessary for counseling students and maintain communication with Individual Education Plan Committee facilitators, case managers and administrators.
• Updates goals for counseling in special education software program at students Annual Individual Education Plan or a Brief Individual Education Plan Committee. 
• Updates progress every grading period in special education software program for progress reporting paired with report cards.

Organization Improvement

The LSSP promotes leadership in efforts to improve the school or organization through activities such as the following:

• Consults with parents concerning the educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
• Consults with parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enhance work with students.
• Consults with school staff regarding pre-referral interventions regarding students’ emotional/behavioral needs.
• Refers parents to appropriate agencies independently or as a member of a related services team.
• Supports and assists classroom teachers with implementation of Individual Education Plans.

Communication and Community Relations

The LSSP promotes a positive tone for school or community relations through activities such as the following:

• Cultivates positive and effective relationships with students, parents, community members, colleagues, campus administration and supervisors.
• Uses effective communication skills, written and oral, to present information accurately and clearly to students, parents and staff.
• Responds to emails/phone calls and other inquiries as appropriate according to special services guidelines.

Student Management

The LSSP promotes positive student conduct through activities such as the following:

• Conducts counseling evaluations to place students in counseling or dismiss students from counseling following the evaluation guidelines as outlined in the district, state and federal policies.
• Provides Special education counseling as determined for students through the Individual Education Plan Committee process.

Professional Growth and Development

The LSSP provides leadership in professional growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Provides parent and family training across the district as assigned by supervisor in collaboration with social work or school counselors.
• Provides staff development training as directed by supervisor to assist school personnel in identification and understanding of students with emotional/behavioral needs.
• Participates in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.
• Participates actively in professional associations.
• Disseminates ideas and information to other professionals.

Qualities of an Effective LSSP

The LSSP exhibits qualities such as the following:

• Complies with District and campus policies and procedures, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Complies with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy DH (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, or standards.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Demonstrates a high level of personal integrity, a collaborative leadership style, and high ethical standards.
• Compiles, maintains and files all reports, records, and other required documents.
• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.
• Attends and participates in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Equipment:

Personal computer, printer, calculator, copier, shredder, fax machine, telephone, and other equipment applicable to the position.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Work with frequent interruption and maintain emotional control under stress.
• Regular district-wide travel to multiple locations as assigned.
• Frequent standing, stooping, bending, reading, pulling, pushing, lifting, and moderate carrying.
• Occasional prolonged and irregular hours to complete a project.

Minimum Qualifications for Educational Diagnostician: 

  Education/Certification

  Master’s degree

  Valid Texas teaching certificate

  Certification as Educational Diagnostician 

  Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50) paid            

  by employee.

Knowledge/Skills:

Bilingual (preferred) 

Knowledge of diagnostic procedures and education of students with disabilities

Knowledge of human development and learning theories

Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Knowledge of current evaluation procedures

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Experience:

   Minimum of three (3) years of teaching experience

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required.)

Professionalism

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions 
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators 

Instructional Management 

The diagnostician or licensed psychologist promotes improvement of instruction through activities such as the following:

• Collect and organize relevant assessment data from student’s cumulative folder, classroom teacher(s), principal, support staff, parents, and outside resource people.
• Conduct classroom observations and student, staff, and parent interviews.
• Support and assist classroom teachers with implementation of Individualized Education Programs.
• Participate in the Individual Education Plan Committee to communicate findings of assessment data in language that is understandable to staff and parents, and assist when appropriate.
• Receive student referrals and implement the evaluation process.

• Select and administer formal and informal assessments to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and Texas Education Agency regulations.

Communication and Community Relations

The diagnostician or licensed psychologist promotes a positive tone for school or community relations through activities such as the following:

• Consult with parents concerning the educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
• Consult with parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enhance work with students.
• Consult with school staff regarding pre-referral interventions regarding students’ educational needs.
• Provide parent and family training across the district as assigned by the Psychological Services Coordinator in collaboration with social work or school counselors.

• Provide staff development training in assigned schools to assist school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.

• Refer parents to appropriate agencies/services independently or as a member of a related services team.
• Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors.   
• Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.
• Respond to e-mails/phone calls and other inquiries as appropriate according to special services guidelines.
• Communicate effectively and proficiently using Microsoft Office.
• Cultivate positive, effective relationships with campus administration.

Organization Management

The diagnostician or licensed psychologist manages administrative, fiscal, and facilities functions responsibly through activities such as the following:

• As a member of the Psychological Services Team, assist in the selection of assessment materials and equipment.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required.
• Comply with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
• Comply with district, state, and federal policy in the areas of assessment, placement, and planning for special education services.
• Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.
• Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.

Qualities of Effective Diagnosticians

The diagnostician or licensed psychologist exhibits qualities such as the following:   

• Maintain confidentiality according to FERPA.
• Correct unsafe conditions in work area that could cause an accident and inform supervisor of any conditions that are not correctable immediately.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy.
• Shall comply with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy DH (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, or standards.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the administration.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None  

Equipment:

Personal computer, printer, calculator, copier, shredder, fax machine, telephone, and other equipment applicable to position.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Work with frequent interruption.
• Maintain professional demeanor, socially appropriate judgment and self-control under stress. 
• Regular district-wide travel to multiple work locations as assigned.

• Frequent standing, stooping, bending, reading, pulling, pushing, heavy lifting, and moderate carrying. 
• Manage assessment materials. 

• Uses computer for prolonged period resulting in repetitive hand motions. 
• Frequent exposure to: temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination vibration.  
• Occasional exposure to: biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, etc.), work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces. 

• May be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchairs or assist positioning students with physical disabilities.

The grantee certifies that the federally funded portion of this position and duties are reasonable, necessary, allowable and allocable under the applicable federal fund source. The grantee further certifies that it is in compliance with the federal requirement that the duties of this position funded by this grant are not required by state law, SBOE rules, or local board policy, i.e., it is a supplemental position. The grant-funded portion of this position and duties meet the purpose, goals, and objectives of the federal fund source. Documentation will be maintained locally by the district that clearly demonstrates the allowable and supplemental nature of the position and will provide such documentation to TEA upon request.  The LEA will maintain auditable documentation to ensure the position was determined through a needs assessment and is included in the campus improvement plan and district improvement plan.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.