School psychologists play a vital role in fostering the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students. To ensure the highest standards of practice, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has developed a comprehensive self-assessment tool. Grounded in the Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services (Practice Model), this tool is designed to help professionals like you evaluate and enhance your contributions within the educational environment.
This self-assessment is not about imposing rigid standards, but rather about facilitating professional growth. It recognizes the diverse challenges faced by school psychologists and acknowledges that not every professional or school system can immediately meet every benchmark. Instead, the tool serves as a reflective instrument, prompting you to consider the time allocation and perceived importance of your current activities. By engaging with this assessment, you can pinpoint areas ripe for professional development and strategically plan for the expansion of your role to better serve your school community.
One of the significant benefits of completing the NASP Self-Assessment and subsequent NASP Professional Growth Plan is the opportunity to earn NASP-Approved Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits. Each year, by demonstrating completion of both the self-assessment and growth plan, you can accrue one CPD credit, contributing up to three credits per NCSP renewal cycle. This valuable opportunity is categorized as a self-study activity (Category H.) for NCSP renewal purposes, making it a convenient and impactful way to maintain your professional certification while investing in your skills.
The personalized summary generated upon completion of the self-assessment provides you with actionable insights into your practice. Be assured that your individual responses are treated with the utmost confidentiality. NASP utilizes aggregated, anonymized data to inform future professional development initiatives and to gain a broader understanding of how staffing ratios influence service delivery across different regions. Your identity will remain completely separate from your responses, ensuring a safe space for honest self-reflection. For ongoing professional development and self-monitoring, you have the flexibility to retake the self-assessment and access previous summary reports, allowing you to track your progress and refine your practice over time.
For any inquiries or further information regarding the NASP School Psychologist Self-Assessment Tool, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Nick Affrunti, NASP Director of Research, at [email protected]. Invest in your professional journey and leverage this valuable resource to elevate your practice and better serve your students and school community.
