About This Career

Diagnoses and implements individual or schoolwide interventions or strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning in a school. May address student learning and behavioral problems and counsel students or families. May design and implement performance plans, and evaluate performance. May consult with other school-based personnel.

This career is part of the Human Services cluster Counseling and Mental Health Services pathway.

A person in this career:

• Compiles and interprets students' test results, along with information from teachers and parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
• Maintains student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided, and behavioral data.
• Reports any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
• Selects, administers, and scores psychological tests.
• Interprets test results and prepares psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
• Assesses an individual child's needs, limitations, and potential, using observation, review of school records, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
• Develops individualized educational plans in collaboration with teachers and other staff members.
• Counsels children and families to help solve conflicts and problems in learning and adjustment.
• Collects and analyzes data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management systems.
• Provides consultation to parents, teachers, administrators, and others on topics such as learning styles and behavior modification techniques.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel