About
2023 School Psychology Futures Conference!
This Futures conference includes a series of interactive events occurring both in-person and on-line. We invite school psychologist practitioners, scholars, and students to imagine how the field can expand its commitment to services helping all children. Using a social justice lens to inform how our practices
will meet the needs of the next generations of children, join us for the kickoff event on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
Futures is meant to be an interactive journey where self-reflection, group discussions and active participation is welcomed. You may join at any time, for as many activities that match your interest and schedule. You will also be given opportunities to learn from other participants who are on the same journey with you. Those who sign-up will receive a monthly update regarding ongoing activities. Be part of school psychology Futures.
Preamble
The school psychology “Futures Conference” is a decennial event sponsored by the collective of school psychology professional organizations dedicated to improving life outcomes for children, youth, and families across the globe. School psychologists are well-trained mental health professionals in schools and other settings with comprehensive skill sets. School psychologists promote the adoption of research-based practices through a cultural ecological framework to promote optimal outcomes in education and social-emotional well-being. School psychologists must be committed to promoting equity and maximizing mental wellness. They are socially responsive and address the impact of cultural disparities on children. They work to mitigate systemic and structural inequities, which are present in all social structures, including educational, health/mental health, housing, employment, criminal justice, law, and environmental spaces. An important role of school psychologists is to reduce the vast disparities in our society by promoting anti-oppressive education, supporting a foundation of equitable, effective and comprehensive school psychology practices, which include the delivery of culturally responsive tiered mental health, academic, social-emotional and wellness practices. School psychologists understand that prevention is more effective and less costly than later intervention.
Vision
The vision of the 2023-2024 Futures Conference is for the field of school psychology to become a visible, necessary, and relevant force driving equitable and liberatory education and mental health care for all children and families.
Mission
The mission of the 2023-2024 Futures Conference is to create a comprehensive plan for the future of school psychology, which recognizes human diversity and is rooted in intersectional social justice; emphasizes effective graduate and continuing education, practice, advocacy, and leadership at all levels; is grounded in anti-oppressive perspectives; promotes quality and equitable educational access for students at all levels; embraces multidisciplinary approaches; and combines science and innovation in service provision.
Timeline
Access to the conference activities begins June 2023 and going through April 2024 providing a Year Long Celebration of School Psychology!
Futures History
In 2002 the national and international school psychology organizations held a conference to discuss the future of school psychology. Now called the Futures conference, which has been held every 10 years. One of the major outcomes of the first conference was the formation the School Psychology Leadership Roundtable (SPLR), where leaders from the various constituent organizations come together annually to communicate, combine efforts where possible, and promote positive outcomes for children, families and schools. SPLR also serves to organize, monitor and facilitate the implementation of the specific goals outlined by the Futures conference. The 2023 Futures conference (delayed due to COVID-19) was planned by the SPLR community.
While the field has held ongoing national convenings since the 1954 Thayer Conference, the priorities have arguably been internal to the field. School Psychology Futures 2023 will differ through an external focus on broader social inequities.
Futures Resources and Readings:
Conoley, J. C., Powers, K., & Gutkin, T. B. (2020). How is school psychology doing: Why hasn’t school psychology realized its promise? School Psychology, 35(6), 367–374. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000404
D’Amato, R. C., & Perfect, M. (2020). History of the future of proactive school psychology: Historical review at our 75th APA anniversary to transcend the past, excel in the present, and transform the future. School Psychology, 35(6), 375–384. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000420
Sheridan, S. M., & D’Amato, R. C. (Eds.). (2003). Partnering to Chart our Futures: School Psychology Review and School Psychology Quarterly Combined Issue on the Multisite Conference on the Future of School Psychology. School Psychology Quarterly, 18(4), 352–357. https://doi.org/10.1521/scpq.18.4.352.26993
Song, S.Y., Jarmuz-Smith, S., Harrison, P., & Cummings, J. (2019). The Future of School Psychology Conferences. In M. Burns’ (Ed.), Introduction to School Psychology: Controversies and Current Practice. Oxford University Press, 485-493, ISBN: 0190619325
Futures Sponsors:
- American Board of School Psychology (ABSP)
- American Psychological Association, Division of School Psychology (16)
- Council of Directors of School Psychology Programs (CDSPP)
- International School Psychology Association (ISPA)
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
- Society for the Study of School Psychology (SSSP)
- Trainers of School Psychologists (TSP)
- Steering Committee: Melissa Bray, Gene Cash, Vitor Coelho, Pamela Fenning, Laurie Ford, Clifford Hatt, Chryse Hatzichristou, Tammy Hughes (co-chair), David Hulac, Carlen Henington, Shane Jimerson, Misty Lay, Celeste Malone, Shuzi Meng, Laurie Klose, Shamim Patwa, Sherrie Proctor, Kisha Radliff, Tara Raines, Sam Song (co-chair), Marie Tanaka, Heather Thompson, Lori Unruh, Sarah Valley Gray, Enedina Vazquez
- Technology Team: Johanna DeLeyer-Tiarks, Peter Faustino, Dan Florell, Krista Klabo, Leandra Parris, Steven R. Shaw, Katya Sussman, Devadrita Talapatra