Separate but equal: School psychology's search for organizational identity

The 50th anniversary of the Thayer Conference: Historical perspectives and accomplishments.

“…Clinical and counseling psychology were more advanced in their organizational development and professional status. Unlike school psychology, their identities had more clear historical organization roots (Fagan, 1993). As an emerging school-based specialty of psychology, school psychology desired to share in the prestige and future planning that attended the other conferences.…”

“…As an emerging school-based specialty of psychology, school psychology desired to share in the prestige and future planning that attended the other conferences. The Thayer Conference is one of many examples of school psychology and Division 16 competing with, and trying to keep up with, other professional psychology specialties (Fagan, 1993(Fagan, , 1996. A national conference afforded at least some "catch-up" for the Division of School Psychologists at a time when its continued existence in the APA structure was questioned (Fagan, 1996).…”

“…Although school psychologists compete with other APA divisions of professional psychology for status and resources, school psychologists also struggle among themselves (Fagan, 1993). However, its internal competition is sufficiently amicable to have forged a sense of school psychology solidarity across organizations.…”

Trends in school psychology for the 21st century: Influences of school violence on professional change

“…Changes in public policy and educational practice, as well as advances in applied research, underscore the need for school psychologists with expertise in providing services to children with diverse needs. Fagan (1993) suggests that school-psychology training should offer different levels of credentialing and practice. In fact, in some states, such as California, legislation has been passed mandating training in school-violence knowledge and skills.…”

Education and Training.

“…The formation of Division 16, and later the Thayer Conference held in 1954 (Cutts, 1955), helped to bring school psychologists together with more group solidarity. The St. Louis Convention in 1969 was the site of the formation of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP; Fagan, 1993). Another major event helping to solidify the specialty was the passage of Public Law 94-142 in 1975, which called for special education, including psychological services, for all handicapped children.…”