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There is a national shortage of school psychologists.

The role of school psychologists is misunderstood or unknown to many laypeople.

School psychologists are trained to respond to the range of problems that children face at schools.

Imagine it’s your first day of second grade. You’re feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as you walk to your classroom. You walk into the wrong one and are greeted with stares from third graders. You quickly turn around and leave the room when you accidentally bump into someone. You look up, and a smiling face greets you, radiating immense warmth, and asks if you’re lost. You nod your head, and tears begin to well in your eyes. This person reassures you and asks you to take a deep “whale breath” before walking you to your classroom and then gives you a high five.

The School Psychologist Shortage

That person is a school psychologist, and our country needs more of them. In November, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) celebrates National School Psychology Week, which recognizes the essential roles they have within schools and communities. The role of school psychologists is so essential that NASP, the American Psychological Association (APA), and even former President Joe Biden have all called attention to the shortage of school psychologists in this country. Experts recommend that schools have one school psychologist for every 500 children, yet the national average is more than........

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