Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.50
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 290-3-3-.50 - School Psychometry (Grades P-12)(1)Rationale. The main goal of these standards is to provide individuals with the necessary knowledge and abilities to become effective school psychometrists.(2)Unconditional Admission to a School Psychometry Program. The study of school psychometry begins at the Class A level. Requirements for unconditional admission shall include: (a)A valid bachelor's-level or valid master's-level professional educator certificate in a teaching field or valid master's-level professional educator certificate in another area of instructional support. If an individual is unconditionally admitted to an Alabama Class A program based on a valid bachelor's- or master's-level professional educator certificate from another state, completes a Class A program, and subsequently applies for Alabama certification at the Class A level, then the individual must hold at least a valid Class B Professional Educator Certificate before applying for Class A certification.(b) Effective July 1, 2017, and thereafter, two full years of full-time, acceptable professional educational work experience. Effective July 1, 2019, two full years of full-time, acceptable P-12 professional educational work experience. See Definition (18).(3)Program Curriculum. In addition to meeting Rule 290-2-2 -.47(2)(a) -(e), the program must meet the following requirements: (a)Data-based decision making and accountability. Prospective school psychometrists shall demonstrate ability to: 1. Conduct psychological and psycho-educational assessments, including:(i) Non-biased assessment of personal-social adjustment, intelligence, adaptive behavior, language and communication skills, academic achievement, environmental-cultural influences, and vocational interests.(ii) Formal assessment instruments, procedures, and techniques.(iii) Interviews, observations, and behavioral evaluations.(iv) Explicit regard for the context in which assessments take place and will be used.2. Systematically collect data and other information about individuals and utilize these data for decision making.3. Access information and technology resources to enhance data collection and decision-making.(b)Consultation and collaboration. Prospective school psychometrists shall demonstrate ability to:1. Consult and collaborate in planning, problem solving, and decision-making processes among diverse school personnel, families, community professionals, and others.2. Provide in-service and other skill enhancement activities for school personnel, parents, and others in the community regarding issues of human learning, development, and behavior.(c)Interventions and instructional support to develop cognitive and academic skills. Prospective school psychometrists shall demonstrate ability to: 1. Provide direct and indirect interventions to facilitate the functioning of individuals, groups, and/or organizations.2. Enhance cognitive, affective, social, and vocational development.3. Facilitate the delivery of services by assisting those who play major roles in the educational system (such as parents, families, school personnel, community agencies).(d)Diversity in development and learning. Prospective school psychometrists shall demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of diversity in development and learning while providing professional and effective services in data-based decision making, consultation and collaboration, and direct and indirect services for individuals, families, and schools with diverse characteristics, cultures, and backgrounds. (e)Research application. Prospective school psychometrists shall demonstrate ability to evaluate and synthesize a cumulative body of research and its findings as a foundation for effective service delivery.(f)Legal, ethical, and professional practice. Prospective school psychometrists shall demonstrate ability to: 1. Provide services consistent with the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics and the ethical, legal, and professional standards in school psychology.2. Collaborate with local and state education agencies to implement accountability systems.3. Advocate for school psychometrists' professional roles to provide effective services.(4)Requirements for Certification in School Psychometry. Readiness to serve as a school psychometrist shall include: (a) At least a valid Class B Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field or a valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field or in another area of instructional support.(b) An official transcript from a regionally accredited institution documenting an earned master's degree.(c) A survey of special education course is required unless that course was taken for prior level certification. [See Rule 290-3-3-.01(51)] . An individual who completed a survey of special education course prior to the semester when the individual met requirements for unconditional admission to a Class A program July 1, 2017, and thereafter, must take a course focused primarily on one of the following categories: methods of accommodating instruction to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities in inclusive settings, multicultural education, teaching English language learners, rural education, or urban education. A diversity course used to meet this requirement for one level of certification may not be used to meet the requirement for a higher level of certification.(d) Satisfactory completion of a State-approved program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all courses in the Alabama State Board of Education approved program for school psychometry. For candidates unconditionally admitted to a Class A school psychometry program July 1, 2017, and thereafter, a minimum GPA of 3.25 on all courses in the Alabama State Board of Education approved school psychometry program.(e) Competence to perform as a school psychometrist in a P-12 internship of at least 300 clock hours supervised by a school psychometrist or school psychologist with at least a valid master's level professional educator certificate in school psychometry or school psychology that complies with Rule 290-3-3-.41(5)(e).(f) A passing score on a comprehensive assessment documenting mastery of the curriculum of the school psychometry program, which may include, but may not be limited to, an oral examination.(g) Two full years of full-time, acceptable professional educational work experience if admitted prior to July 1, 2017.(5)Testing for Certification in School Psychometry. Applicants for initial certification in school psychometry through the completion of a Class A program must meet the requirements of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) as a precondition for certification.Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.50
New Rule: December 19, 1978. Amended: December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Amended: Filed June 14, 1999; effective July 19, 1999. Amended: Filed March 14, 2002; effective April 18, 2 002. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 3, 2009; effective September 7, 2009; operative October 1, 2009. Amended: Filed June 15, 2012; effective July 20, 2012.Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIII, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2015, eff. 9/17/2015.Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 12, September 28, 2018, eff. 10/28/2018; operative 6/1/2019.Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2021, eff. 10/15/2021.Previous Rule.51 was renumbered.50 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.
Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey
Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 16-3-16, 16-23-14.