Dropout prevention, handling emotionally-disturbed students and AIDS in the classroom will be focuses of the 23rd annual meeting of the state Association of School Psychologists held at the University Oct. 18-19.
About 200 school psychologists from throughout the state are expected to attend the meeting, designed to present the latest developments in both fields through speakers and workshops. The meeting will be held in the Keller Conference Center.
Every year, we invite those at the top of their field to speak," said Joseph L. French, conference chairman. It provides access to up-to-date information on topics of current importance."
One of this year's topics, AIDS, is a relatively new concern to school psychologists, said French. Since the disease is not widespread in schools, the main focus is on prevention through education, he added.
Two years ago, Pennsylvania made AIDS education mandatory in schools at all grade levels, said Patricia Best, director of planning, research and communication for the State College Area School District.
It is important for every school professional to understand the issue surrounding AIDS because it's such a serious health problem," Best said.
Kay McKnight, a psychologist with the Central Intermediate Unit 10, said she finds the meetings helpful.
Coming at the time of year it does, it gives me the opportunity to examine my own practice and look for changes I might want to implement," she said.
The conference's keynote speaker will be James A. Tucker, director of the Bureau of Special Education for the state Department of Education. Other major speakers include Adele D. Milarsky, counsel and project director for the Right to Education Office in Harrisburg, and Roy P. Martin, president-elect of the division of school psychology for the American Psychological Association.
Also speaking will be Stephen J. Bagnato of the child development unit at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, and Constance Vieland, director of New Schools of New Jersey.
The state Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education, the School Division of Pennsylvania Psychological Association and the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania are sponsoring the meeting.
