REPO-RT RESUMES - Ed

MMGMWIrEGMaXWIt i4-30--Sample and MethodIn May of 1964, questionnaires were sent to the 209 diagnosticians approved by the DPI for the school year of 1963-64.Similar questionnaires were sent to all MSSP members who werenot on the DPI diagnosticians list.Certain questions wereomitted from the MSSP non-diagnostician questionnaire becauseof their irrelevance for that particular subset of individuals;otherwise the questionnaires were identical.Questions weremultiple choice; answers were recorded on McBee Keysort Cards;and all data were processed mechanically.Anonymity was guaran-teed.Of the 209 diagnosticians on the DPI list, two indicatedthey had left their jobs.lation to 207.This reduced the diagnostician popu-The MSSP population, at the time of the survey,was 107; 55% of the MSSP membership was also reflected in theDPI diagnosticians roster. 1Table 1 summarizes the percentageof questionnaires returned by the various subsets of individuals.lIt is interesting to note that the MSSP presently representsmore school diagnosticians than there were in the entire statethree years ago.VI"21434w4w)w-''.1

-31-TABLE 1Sample Sizes and Per Cent Questionnaire ReturnDiagMSSPMSSPNon-MSSPnostician PopulaMSSP Non-DiagDiagDiagtionTotal nostician nostician nosticianTotalMembershipaNumber Return% aFor the academic year 1964-65, the MSSP membership numbers 150 and the diagnosticians 214.ResultsIn general, Michigan school psychologists are young men intheir thirties, with one to two years of graduate training, primarilyin psychology, who have had two or more years teaching experience,who have membership in educational as well as psychological associations.1MSSP Membership Characteristics.The typical MSSP member is male, reasonably mature, moderate to well-trained, professionally affiliated, reasonablywell paid, and has aspiration for upward professional mobility.In particular:(a)(b)(c)1A65% are male63% are over 35 years of age63% have two or more years of graduate trainingcomplete table of percentages of responses to eachanswer alternative, by class of respondent, may be obtained byobtained byiwriting to Dr. James Dunn, Director, IRCOPPS Project,534 UES, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

-32(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j)(k)(1)25% hold the doctorate26% are working toward the doctorate40% are certified for private practice by the State,at the psychologist or consulting psychologist level68% have had one or more years teaching experience61% have had four or more years experience as a schoolpsychologist or diagnostician75% belong to the Michigan Psychological Association60% belong to the NEA-MEA, or both91% "feel the State should make provision for a considerably expanded program of psychological service"73% "think a two-level certification program would beof value to the State even though reimbursement forthe new level might not be immediately forthcoming."Diagnostician Characteristics.As a group the diagnosticians are:(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j)(k)(1)66% male50% are 36 years of age or older53% have two years or more of graduate training7% hold the doctorate32% are working toward the doctorate19% are certified at the psychologist or consultingpsychologist level73% have had one or more years teaching experience50% have had four or more years experience as a schooldiagnostician44% belong to MPA56% belong to NEA-MEA or both91% "feel the State should make provision for a considerably expanded program of psychological service"73% "think a two-level certification program wouldbe of value to the State even though reimbursementfor the new level might not be immediately forthcoming."MSSP Member-Diagnostician Comparison.When the data are arrayed side by side, several noticeabledifferences between MSSP members and school diagnosticians, maybe seen.Table 2 summarizes some of the more noticeable differences.

-33-TABLE 2Notable Differences: MSSP Members Versus Non-MSSP Dia nosticiansMSSPMembersNon-MSSPDiagnosticiansHold Membership in MPA75%32%.Four or more years experience as aschool diagnostician6127Forty years old or older.4629Certified as psychologist orconsulting psychologist4013Ten years or more teachingexperience3112Holds Doctorate degree254MSSP Dia nostician-Non-MSSP Dia nostician Comparison.In some respects, however, it is not entirely appropriateto compare the typical MSSP member with non-MSSP diagnosticiansbecause, as was indicated earlier, MSSP has a significant numberof members who are university professors, private psychologists,directors of special services, etc.Consequently, the followingcomparison has been made in order to partial out the effects ofnon-diagnostician MSSP members.While there are, in.general, nodifferences between these groups on such variables as sex, teaching experience, undergraduate major, percentage working towarda doctorate, percentage on an academic-year pay scale, membershipin educational associations, and so forth, there are rather clearcut differences between these two groups of diagnosticians. Table

--34-3 summarizes these differences.In addition, MSSP diagnosticians tend to be located morein metropolitan areas, especially in cities of 10,000 to 15,000pupil population.Non-MSSP diagnosticians tend to be centeredmore in county operations and in operations split between severalsmaller towns.There is also some evidence that MSSP diagnosticianshave taken a more active, role in the definition of their jobdescriptions than did non-MSSP persons.Also, MSSP diagnosticiansappear to have:(a)a stronger professional affiliation(b)significantly higher salaries(c)received the bulk of their training at either theUniversity of Michigan or Wayne, and(d)higher levels of aspiration inasmuch as they seetheir target goal in the next six to eight yearseither working as psychologists on research projects or at university and college positions.In general, then, the MSSP appears to represent a more orless broad concept of school psychology by virtue of the factthat it draws its membership from more than one area of schoolpsychological service.Its members are reasonably well trained,mature, experienced and professionally oriented individuals whoat the same time are familiar with the problems of education,and who are interested in upgrading the scope of school psychological services.The non-affiliated school diagnosticians, byway of contrast, are younger, less experienced, and less well

-35 -TABLE 3Notable Differences:MSSP Diagnosticians Versus Non-MSSP DiagnosticiansNon -MSSPMSSPDiagnosticianDiagnosticianAge: less than 3045 or more15%2628%16Use title "psychologist"4620Holds Doctorate degree134Graduate major in psychologyor educational psychology8069Certified psychologist orconsulting psychologist33132116Experience as diagnostician0-1 years4 or more years13426227Serve school system of 7,5000pupils or more5931Attend regular meetings ofdiagnosticians in your area5239Hold APA membership4832Hold MPA membership723217373711Four or more years experienceas psychologist prior tobecoming diagnosticianSalary 7,500 or less 9,500 or moreaaThis difference not due to difference in terms of contract.There is no difference in the ratio of 10 month to 12 month employment between the two groups.

-36trained.Nevertheless, they also are very much concernedserviceswith improving the nature of school psychologicalin Michigan.Finally, there is evidence to suggest thatprofessional school psyafter a year or two of exposure tochology the younger diagnosticians tend to seek affiliationwith the MSSP.

Lox-37-REFERENCESDepartment of Public Instruction. Regulations for evaluationof credentials of persons employed for psychological servicesin the program for the education of the mentally handicapped.Lansing, Michigan: Department of Public Instruction, 1950.Dunn, J. A. On the growth of school psychology.the schools, 1965, 2, 110-112.Psychology inLegislature of the State of Michigan. General school laws.Lansing, Michigan: Speaker, Hines & Thomas, Inc., 1949.

-38-APPENDIX A - INSTRUMENTATIONMIDWEST RESEARCH CENTER FOR PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICESCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY SURVEYDirections:Please read.the following questions and theirpossible answers. When you have selected youranswer, record your answer by writing the letterof your answer, i.e., a, b, c, d, etc., on theappropriate line in the center of the Answer Card.Two questions require written answers; space isprovided on the Answer Card also. We have askedonly questions which we feel are absolutelynecessary for our better understanding of SchoolPsychology in Michigan; therefore, please answerevery question. If, however, you find it impossible to do so, please write "no answer"behind the question number of the Answer Card.Please DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME on any materials. Thematerials are numbered to allow future follow-upif it should be necessary.All data will be processed mechanically on punchedcards. Names of individuals will not be usedatany time. You have my assurance that absoluteconfidentiality will be maintained at all time.References to cards will always be by number,names will never be used.Thank you,James A. Dunil, Ph. D.

-39-SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY SURVEY*1.Your sex?a)b)2.Your age?d)20-2526-3031-3536-40e)41. -45a)b)c)3.b)c)b)c)b)i)DiagnosticianPsychologist or School est Degree held?a)b)c)7.h)If you did not have psychology as an undergraduate majordid you have it as an undergraduate minor?a)6.g)46-5051-5556-60over 60Undergraduate major?a)5.f)Your school st or M.A. plus30 additional graduatesemester hoursGraduate major?a)b)*PsychologyEduc. Psychologyc)d)GuidanceOtherThis form used for Non MSSP Diagnosticians

-40-8.Toward what degree are you currently working?a)Noned)b)B.A.M.A.e)c)9.PsychologyEduc. Psychologyb)d)YesNob)Number of years teaching experience?a)0b)f)51g)c)2h)d)e)3i)6-1011-20over 20:4Number years full-time experience as a psychologist priorbecoming a nsulting Psychologistc)Do you have a teaching c)What certification, if any, do you hold under the Psychologist Registration Act?a)11.f)If you are working toward a graduate degree, what is your major?a)10.SpecialistPh.D.Ed.D.f)5g)6-1011-20over 20Number years experience as.a school diagnostician or schoolpsychologist?a)0f)5b)g)6h)(i)1237-10over 10e)4c)i)

-41-Size of school system (systems) you serve:15.a) County Boardb) 2 or more cooperatingdistrictsc) 1 system, under 5,000school population16.17.Number diagnosticians (Psychologists) working with you insame system (county).a)0e)4b)1f)5c)2g)6 or mored)3Do you have a supervising psychologist in your system towhom you may go for professional consultations?a)b)18.One system ,000-15,000g)h)over 15,0001)DetroitYesNoDo you have and attend regular (bi-monthly or more frequent)meetings of the diagnosticians in your local area?a)b)YesNo19.(a) take an active part in defining your role inyour system; or was your role (b) fairly well defined by the superintendent, previous diagnosticians, etc. before you got there.(a or b)20.Professional Memberships:Did you:a)b)c)d)21.APAAPAAPAAPAmemberassociateDivision 12Division 16Present salary?a)b)c)dele)Mich P.A.f)N. E. A.g)h)M. E. A.Ortho(School salary only)less than 6000. 6000. - 6999. 7000. - 7499. 7500. - 7999. 8000. - 8499.f)g)h)i) 8500. - 8999. 9000. - 9499. 9500. - 10,000over 10,000

-4222.Employment period?a)b)23.24.I received the bulk of my psychological training ata)U of Md)b)MSUe)c)Wayneb)c)b)d)e)WesternOthervery well satisfiedit was adequatec)d)it was weakit was very poorHow well did your training prepare you for the job?a)b)c)27.U of MMSUWayneHow satisfied were you with your training leading tocertification?a)26.WesternOtherThe university that recommended me for certification wasa)25.9 or 10 months11 or 12 monthsvery well, indeedquite wellit was good as far asit wentd)e)it was skimpy at bestit was totally unrealisticSome people decide to be diagnosticians before they havehad any training, others make that decision after they havehad rather extensive graduate training. Roughly speaking,about how much additional training was it necessary for youto take after you decided to become a diagnostician?a)b)c)d)e)f)nothing, 'I already had sufficient traininga few coursesseveral (3 or 4) courses6 or 7 coursesI had to undertake a rather extensive training programbecause I had no graduate psychology and/or EducationalPsychology training.I had to undertake an extensive training program(8 or more courses) even though I had what I thoughtwas an adequate background already.

-4328.29.In what areas do you consider diagnosticians to be leastadequately prepared when they first come onto the job?of answer card)(Essay question. Please answer on backmake provisions for a conDo you think the State needs tosiderably expanded program of psychological services?a)b)30.31.As you probably know, many states certify personnel forlevelschool psychology at two levels. Do-you think a twocertification program would be of value to the State ofMichigan even though reimbursement for the new level mightnot be immediately forthcoming?a)Yesb)Nolevel should beIf certification at the school psychologistforthcoming, do you think you would seek such certification?a)b)32.YesNoYesProbablyc)d)It's doubtfulNoCheck the kind of job you expect to be doing 6 or 8 yearsfrom now.a)b)c)d)e)f)g)33.Basically the same jobAdministrative position such as Director of SpecialServices; etc.Education; Coordinator of PsychologicalPsychologist at university or collegePsychologist in research or research institutionSchool Psychologist with part-time private practicePsychologist with full-time or almost full-timeprivate clinical practicePsychologist in state or private hospitalAccording to a survey by Kelly and Fiske, about 50% of theclinical psychologists surveyed had some regret regardingdotheir choice of professional careers. If you had it toall over again, what would you have done differently?(Essay question)

-44MSSP - MEMBERSHIP SURVEY *Please disregard the apparent distortions in the questionnumbering system. The questions were numbered in such away asto facilitate data processing.1,Your sex?)12)2,Your 5051-5556-60over 603.Your title? (Please answer on back of card)4.Undergraduate major?1)2)3)5.2)6)YesNoHighest Degree held?1)2)3)7.PsychologyEducationOtherIf you did not have psychology as an undergraduate majordid you have it as an undergraduate minor?1)B.A.M.A.4) Ph.D.5) Ed. D.Specialist or M.A. plus 30additional graduatesemester hoursGraduate major?1)2)*MaleFemalePsychologyEduc. PsychologyThis form used for MSSP members.3)4)GuidanceOther

-45-8.9.Toward what degree are you currently working?1)None4)Specialist2)B. A.5)3)M. A.6)Ph. D.Ed. D.If you are working toward agraduate degree, what isyour major?1)2)PsychologyEduc. Psychology3) Guidance4) Other10. What certification, if any, do you hold under thePsychologist Registration Act?1)2)NoneExaminerPsychologistConsulting Psychologist3)4)11. Do you have a teaching certificate?1)2)YesNo12. Number of years public school teaching experience?6)52)017)3)28)4)39)6-1011-20over 205)41)14.Number years experience as a school diagnostician orschool psychologist?6)52)017)63)28)4)39)7-10over 105)45)Mich P.A.1)20.Professional ision 12Division 166).7)8)M.E.A.Ortho

- .11MIC-46-23. I received the bulk of my psychological training at:1) U of M2) MSU3) Wayne25.4)5)WesternOtherHow satisfied were you with your psychological training?1)2)very well satisfiedit was adequate3) it was weak4) it was very'poor28.In what areas do you consider school diagnosticiansto be least adequately prepared when they first comePlease answeg ononto the job? (Essay Question.back of answer card)29.Do you think the state needs to make provisions for aconsiderably expanded program of psychological services?1)2)30.As you probably know, many states certify personnel forDo you think a two levelschool psychology at two levels.certification program would be of value to the State ofMichigan even though reimbursement for the new level mightnot be immediately forthcoming?1)2)31.YesNoIf certification at the school psychologist level should beforthcoming do you think you would seek such certification?a)b)32.YesNoYesProbablyc)d)It's doubtfulNoCheck the kind of job you expect to be doing 6 or 8 yearsfrom now.a)b)c)Basically the same jobAdministrative position such as Director of SpecialEducation; Coordinator of Psychological Services; etc.Psychologist at university or college

-47--32 (continued.)d) Psychologist in research or research institutione) School psychologist with part-time private practicef) Psychologist with full-time or almost full-timeprivate clinical practiceg) Psychologist in state or private hospital33. According to a survey by Mlly and Fiske, about 50% ofthe clinical psychologists surveyed had some regret regarding their choice of professional careers.If you hadit to do all over again, what would you have done differently?(Essay question)34.My major position is at:1)2)3)UniversityPrivate schoolCounty school board4)5)6)Public school systemPrivate practiceOther (please specify)

-48APPENDIX BSUMMARY OF RESULTS: BY MEMBERSHI P agnost.N 81N 176N 051-60over 4538463948216341112393743371539331791137321713N 122Agea.3.Non MSSPSexa.2.MSSPSchool uate majora.Psychologyb.Educationc.OtherIf did not have psychas undergrad major, asan undergrad minora.Yesb.No28320Highest Degree helda.b.B.A.M.A.Specialist or M.A.plus 30 add. hoursd.Ph. D.e.Ed. D.c.7.Graduate majora.Psychologyb.Educ. Psychc.Guidanced.Other1561

-49MSSP8.Non MSSPDiagnost.Degree currentlyworking D.Ed.D.3If working toward agrad degree, whatmajorPsychologya.Educ. Psych.b.c.Guidanced.Other26610. Private certificationExaminera.b.PsychologistConsult Psychc,3011. Teaching certificateYesa.b.No7028111026712. Years teachingexperiencea.032b.1-23-45-ov

repo-rt resumes. ed 012 952. cg 000 773 michigan's school psychologists--a profile analysis. by- dunn, james a. michigan univ., ann arbor. pub date. 67. edrs price mf- 0.25 hc- 1.86. 47f. descriptors- *school psychologists, *student personnel services, *individual characteristics, educational psych