School Psychology Department

The School Psychology Department plays a vital role in supporting student success within Camp Verde Unified School District. School psychologists work collaboratively with students, families, educators, administrators, and related service providers to promote positive educational outcomes and ensure that students receive the supports necessary to access and benefit from their educational programs.

The primary responsibility of the School Psychology Department is to conduct comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations to assist multidisciplinary teams in determining whether a student meets the eligibility criteria for one or more disability categories as defined by federal and state special education regulations. Through the evaluation process, school psychologists gather and analyze information from multiple sources, including standardized assessments, classroom observations, academic performance data, behavioral data, developmental history, medical information when appropriate, teacher input, and parent feedback. This comprehensive approach ensures that eligibility decisions are data-driven, individualized, and educationally relevant.

In addition to determining whether a student meets the definition of a disability category, school psychologists assist teams in determining whether the disability adversely impacts the student's educational performance and whether the student requires specially designed instruction to make meaningful progress within the educational environment. This determination is a critical component of the special education process and helps ensure that students receive appropriate supports and services based on their unique educational needs.

The School Psychology Department also supports the district's Child Find responsibilities by assisting in the identification of students who may have disabilities and may require further evaluation. School psychologists collaborate with school-based intervention teams to review student data, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and provide recommendations regarding additional supports and next steps. Through this work, the department helps ensure that students receive timely and appropriate interventions while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations.

Beyond evaluation activities, school psychologists contribute to the development of educational programming by helping teams understand evaluation results, identify student strengths and needs, develop measurable goals, and make informed decisions regarding services, supports, accommodations, and educational placement. School psychologists serve as valuable resources to staff and families by providing consultation related to learning, behavior, social-emotional development, and educational planning.

The Camp Verde Unified School District School Psychology Department is committed to conducting evaluations and providing consultation services that are ethical, comprehensive, culturally responsive, and focused on improving student outcomes. Through collaboration and data-based decision-making, the department strives to ensure that every student receives the educational opportunities and supports necessary to achieve success in school and beyond.