What area of expertise is most crucial for school psychologists involved in prereferral intervention teams?

The focus on consultation, problem solving, and data-based decision making is crucial for school psychologists involved in prereferral intervention teams because these skills directly relate to the process of supporting students before formal referrals for special education services.

In prereferral interventions, school psychologists collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to identify learning or behavioral concerns and implement strategies to address them. Effective consultation enables psychologists to work closely with educators to assess the specific needs of students, develop interventions, and monitor progress.

Problem-solving skills are essential in this context as they allow psychologists to analyze data regarding student performance, identify underlying issues, and propose tailored interventions that are evidence-based. Data-based decision-making further enhances this process by ensuring that the interventions are grounded in empirical evidence and are evaluated for their effectiveness through ongoing progress monitoring.

While other areas of expertise—such as child and adolescent psychopathology, crisis prevention and response, and training and leadership—are certainly important in the broader practice of school psychology, they are not as directly relevant to the proactive, collaborative, and strategic efforts required in prereferral intervention. The primary goal in that setting is to provide timely support to at-risk students within the general education system and to prevent more significant challenges that could lead to the need