What We Do

School Psychologists and MHSs Provide Many Services to Support Alief ISD Students, Parents, and Staff

School Psychologists and MHSs are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School Psychologists and MHSs partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.

Support Parents and Staff

Each campus has an assigned School Psychologist and MHS who can consult with parents and staff regarding emotional and behavioral concerns and how they relate to a student's learning.

Evaluations

School Psychologists conduct evaluations (and re-evaluations) to determine if a student meets special education disability criteria for special education services and if academic and behavior intervention plans, and/or counseling as a related service is needed for the student. We also help assess disabilities that are listed under IDEA’s 13 categories, with the exception of visual impairment, hearing impairment, and speech or language impairment. After an evaluation is completed, the report is reviewed in an ARD meeting and eligibility for special education is determined by the ARD committee.

Counseling as a Related Service

Counseling as a related service, also referred to as Special Education Counseling, is a support service provided to children with disabilities to assist them in benefiting from special education. Specifically, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines counseling as a related service as a developmental, corrective, or other support service that is required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. The need for counseling is typically considered during the student’s Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting as the committee reviews and discusses the student’s evaluation and assessment data. A Mental Health Specialist, School Psychologist, and/or an SSP intern provides counseling as a related service.

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