SPECIAL EDUCATION

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

QUALIFICATIONS OF INTERNS :

Students applying for the internship program should have a university training program director who will certify the student’s eligibility for internship.

Candidates for internship should possess entry level knowledge and competencies in the following areas :

Assessment : The intern should be proficient in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of individual measures of intelligence, academic achievement, cognitive processing, personality, adaptive behavior, and behavior rating scales.

The intern should be familiar with the principles and techniques of curriculum-based assessment (CBA), and functional behavior assessment (FBA).

In addition, the intern should be able to conduct informal assessments, observations, clinical interviews, and record reviews.

• Report Writing : The intern should be able to write integrated diagnostic reports, including recommendations for parents, teachers, and other allied professionals.
• Intervention Planning and Consultation : The intern should have the knowledge base and communication skills necessary for conducting consultations with school personnel and parents, as well as the basic problem analysis skills needed for participation in the development of classroom interventions.

The intern should be familiar with the principles associated with effective operation of a Multi-Tiered (Layered) Systems of Supports framework.

• Professional Standards and Ethical Principles : The intern should be familiar with the 5 NASP Standards for the Provision of School Psychological Services and the NASP Principles of Professional Ethics.
• Awareness of School Organization : The intern should possess a basic understanding of the organizational structure of schools and the roles of key school personnel.
• Knowledge of at-risk subpopulations : The intern should have knowledge of common learning and school adjustment problems presented by preschool and school-age students, and of special education services available.

This knowledge should include a basic understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Knowledge of Cultural, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Factors : The intern should have knowledge of the impact of cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic factors and alternate lifestyles on interactions between students and the school environment.

Further, the intern should be sensitive to the possible impact of these factors on the accuracy of data obtained via typical psycho-educational assessment techniques and instruments.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE :

The minimum expectations for this job are as follows :

• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Flexibility, organization, decision-making and problem solving skills.
• Interpersonal skills with diverse populations in-person and on the telephone.
• Knowledge of APS community, computer system, financial and legal requirements.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work on multiple projects and coordinate the work of others.
• Knowledge of District policies on immunization, medication, first aid, emergencies and child abuse / neglect.
• Knowledge of all laws, regulations and guidelines affecting teachers and students.
• Knowledge of effective classroom management techniques.

REQUIREMENTS :

REQUIREMENTS OF INTERNSHIP PROGRAM :

All interns are required to serve an internship of one academic year. The work calendar for school psychologists consists of 194 days, 6.

5 hours per day, resulting in a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised training. At least 300 hours of training must consist of direct service activities with students identified as having an emotional disability.

The intern is expected to work during normal school operating hours.

Additionally, upon satisfactory completion of the internship program and completion of necessary degree requirements, the intern agrees to work as a full-time school psychologist within the district for a period of at least two academic years.

All interns will attend an orientation meeting with the supervisor. Topics to be addressed during orientation include, but are not limited to : internship program procedures, Albuquerque Public Schools district guidance and procedural guidelines, office procedures, Special Education Department procedures, and state and federal laws.