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President's
Message
Is this a great state or what? Our profession draws special people, and some of the best are right here in Oklahoma.
Thank you to all our members who make a difference every day, even under trying circumstances. Thank you to those
who struggle with high case loads in large bureaucracies and to those who feel all alone on the prairie. Thank
you to those who take the time to come to our conferences, to do the work of the organization, to explain who we
are every time they get the chance. You are OSPA. The spring conference was great and you will enjoy Sattler this
fall. See you there! Thank you also to other professionals who are there for the same reasons we are – the teacher
who is determined to help that one child, the principal who listens to the parents' concerns, the counselors who
hold down the fort, and the speech pathologists who help children to learn. Thank one today and invite them to
our conference! Thank you especially to the parents, who everyday make sure that homework is done, tummies are
full, teeth are brushed. The families who instill the importance of education, who want more for their kids than
we sometimes give them credit for. Make sure you say something nice about their child to every one you meet.
OSPA gives all of us a chance to have a network to continue to help children, families and schools be successful.
At the state leaders' conference at NASP in Washington, D.C. this spring, there were round table discussions where
representatives of states of similar size were able to discuss common issues. Be glad to know that Oklahoma is
one of the leaders of states our size in terms of membership, conference success, and NASP involvement! The 20+
years of work have paid off, and we have a bright future as well, thanks to your support. There are several people
in OSPA who have carried the torch for a long time, and they especially encourage new members and practitioners
to volunteer for key committee membership, such as Professional Standards, Membership, Government, Public Relations,
and Awards. We need you! Just let the committee chair know you are interested and you're making that contribution.
Exciting things are happening in Oklahoma. We continue to liaison with child advocacy groups and state leaders
in education and the legislature. State improvement grants for personnel preparation are increasing our numbers
and quality of services. The School Psychology Task Force is developing important policy for the state and providing
critical information to the OSPA Board for our own strategic planning. Our NASP delegates are attending regional
and national meetings and helping us align goals with NASP national goals. Regional and national contacts also
allow us to attract top school psychology speakers, such as Beth Doll and Jerome Sattler, to our conferences. All
of us together can continue to move our organization into the 21st century!
Judy Oehler-Stinnet, Ph.D.
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Computing Tips - Remember to Lock
Your Backdoor!
High-speed access to the Internet is becoming commonplace, as more people are getting DSL and cable modem services.
With the increase in speed comes an increase in the risk that some other user on the Internet will pay you a visit
without your knowledge.
The Internet is a network, very much like the networks we find in schools and businesses, and networks are great
for giving people access to the files on other computers. However, some folks on the Internet use it to explore
other computers for personal information, credit card numbers and other unsavory purposes. What most people don't
realize is how easily someone can snoop (or even cause damage) in their computers while they're browsing on the
web.
The good news is that there are two tools which can virtually eliminate your vulnerability to hacker attacks. First,
everyone should have a good antivirus program. An antivirus program scans files (and email messages) as you use
them on your computer. If a virus is identified, the program will stop it from acting and, in most cases, remove
it from your computer. One of the best antivirus programs available is eTrust EZ Antivirus. It's very effective
at trapping and eliminating viruses before they can do any damage to your computer, plus it costs less than the
other antivirus programs ($20 for the first year, then $10 per year to renew). The program can be purchased and
downloaded from the eTrust website at http://www2.my-etrust.com/products/info/Antivirus/2
. EZ Antivirus monitors all activity on your computer to trap viruses before they act, and it includes an automated
update feature that lets you easily update the virus files as often as you wish (once a week is a good idea). Keeping
a powerful, up-to-date antivirus program on your computer ensures you'll stay one step ahead of the hackers.
The second tool, especially important for DSL and cable users, is a firewall program. Firewalls keep other people
from getting into your computer through the Internet. They also make sure that the only programs that access the
Internet from your computer are the ones you want to have access to the Internet. That may sound strange, but there
is a growing group of advertisers (and others) who plant little "snooping" programs on computers. These
programs are designed to report on your computing activity - mostly your patterns of web browsing. However, they
may also be used to report anything you do on your computer (such as typing a bank account password).
For individual or nonprofit users, one of the very best firewall programs is free. It is called ZoneAlarm and can
be downloaded from the Zone Labs website at http://www.zonelabs.com. Like InoculateIt PE, ZoneAlarm has easy updating. It also has a feature
which shows you when someone is trying to access your computer, as well as the Internet address of their computer.
With both of these programs loaded and up-to-date, you will have locked the "back door" to your computer
and will be almost totally safe from hackers. There is one destructive program, however, which antivirus and firewall
programs can't stop - sometimes called a bomb. A bomb is a small program that, when run, will do something nasty
to your computer. Usually that amounts to deleting everything from your hard drive. The good news is that bombs
only appear as email attachments or in files you download from the Internet. You can prevent them if you only "open"
email attachments when you know they're safe (i.e., something you expect and from someone you know), or only download
files from sources you can trust.
A final safety measure for Windows users, also free of charge, is making use of Windows Update to download and
install "critical updates". The critical updates include many revisions to Windows programs which close
up gaps that hackers could use to attack your computer through the Internet. To access Windows update, you may
run it from the Start menu under Windows 98 or ME; or you can access it through the Tools menu from within the
Windows Internet Explorer browser. Once there, choose Product Updates and the critical updates for your computer
will be at the top of the listing and ready for download.
Michael Kerr, Ph.D.
OSPA Webmaster
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AN IMPORTANT SURVEY FOR OSPA MEMBERSHIP
OSPA wants to better serve its membership. Your responses
to this survey will give direction to the OSPA leadership. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and
return by mail or email.
1. What is your current role/job description and caseload?
What can OSPA do at the state level to support you in your professional role?
2. What are the most important issues in school-based services
that you see need to be addressed?
3. Are you in favor of OSPA supporting:
Differential pay for practitioners with the NCSP?
A provisional certificate for interns?
Expanded services by the RESC'S?
Phasing out psychometry or having psychometrists work with school psychologists as a team?
OEA's push for teacher pay raises across Oklahoma?
Changes in the state certification tests and not requiring the general teacher exams?
4. What are your top three choices for conference topics
and top three speakers you would like OSPA to have at conferences?
5. On what OSPA committees would you be interested in serving?
Awards
Professional standards and ethics
Government and Professional Relations
Public Relations
Conference
Publications/Newsletter/Web Page
Constitution/By-laws, Operations Handbook
Thank you for your continued commitment to OSPA!
Please send your responses to:
Judy Oehler-Stinnet, Ph.D.
434 Willard Hall
Stillwater, OK 74048
W: (405) 744-9450
H: (405) 743-1399
Email: jos@okway.okstate.edu
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NASP Delegate Report
The National Association of School Psychologists held
its Strategic Planning Summit and Delegate Assembly Meeting in Denver on July 19-22, 2001. The New Leader Orientation
Meeting for newly elected delegates was conducted by veterans Mark Roth of Maine, and Jim Tallmadge of Vermont.
They did an excellent job in preparing me and my newly elected colleagues for leadership in the NASP.
Among President Charlie Dupree's priority goals for 2001-02 will be re-establishing the Assistance to States activities.
This will include having President Dupree attend our Fall Conference in Tulsa on September 28th. Also, NASP will
hold regional meetings where state leaders will have benefit of training regarding local and national strategic
planning. NASP will fund the state delegate and the state president and associations are encouraged to fund additional
team members. This year NASP will sponsor a mini-skills workshop within the national convention for state teams.
On Thursday of the convention there will be sessions dealing with member recruitment and retention, convention
planning, Government and Professional Relations training and Public Relations training for the states. Individual
sessions will be geared to states of similar size. NASP will also sponsor a Speakers Bureau to assist state conference
committees in contacting nationally known speakers. State associations will pay for travel expenses and lodging;
the speaker's honorarium will be waived.
NASP had the good fortune to have Steven Kukic, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Sophris West, a former
school psychologist and understudy of Steven Covey, to assist in developing its strategic plan. Dr. Kukic was the
Keynote Speaker for the Summit and he gave a dynamic presentation on strategic planning entitled "The Best
Way to Predict the Future is to Invent It", which is a quote from Jon Scully of Apple Computer. I will share
just one of many of his words of wisdom: "Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision is
merely passing the time. Vision with action can change the world." He also shared a policy paper entitled,
"Rethinking Special Education for a New Century" by G. Reid Lyon, et al., which recommends sweeping changes
in federal special education policy. This paper is available from the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation (http://www.edexcellence.net).
Please refer to Chapter 12, "Rethinking Learning Disabilities" in particular. This chapter provides a
thought provoking discussion of the inadequacies of the present system of identifying children with learning disabilities.
I highly recommend it and I encourage you to download the entire document.
Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to serve as Delegate from Oklahoma. It will be a challenge to follow
the leadership of Joyce Lowrey. Let's work together to "predict our future" by becoming actively involved
in our profession .
With every good wish,
Marshall Andrew Glenn, Ph.D.
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New Trainer at OSU
OSPA would like to welcome a new School Psychology Trainer at OSU, Dr. Gary Duhon. Dr. Duhon comes to OSU from
Louisiana State University. His research focuses on effective practices in school-based teams and aspects of behavioral
interventions. He completed his internship in a school setting through a grant with Dr. Joe Witt. Gary is glad
to be here and you will like him. Gary's wife, Kristy, and his daughter, Kaitlin, are already "bleeding orange."
Please give the Duhon's a warm Oklahoma welcome when you meet them.
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Online Resources for Locating
Jobs in Education in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Directory of Education has a list of school districts with contact names, addresses, telephone numbers,
and other helpful information. Contacts for career and technology schools, higher education institutions and other
educational services are also included. This information is available at <http://sde.state.ok.us>,
under "Publications, Books/Manuals."
The Teacher Job Connection, through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, is a new on-line employment
service designed to match Oklahoma certified teachers to job vacancies in Oklahoma public and private schools.
The web side is accessible at <http://ok.marketplace.org>.
The Oklahoma State Employment Service, <http://www.oesc.state.ok.us>, is also accessible via the Oklahoma State Department of Education
web side, <http://sde.state.ok.us>, under "Index," then "Employment Opportunities."
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OSPA Attends SDE Leadership Conference
OSPA was well represented at the 2001 State Department of Education annual Leadership Conference held in Tulsa
July 11th – 13th. Over 2,000 school leaders from across Oklahoma attended to learn about changes in education law,
better practices, and to share ideas on improving Oklahoma's schools. OSPA was one of 208 booths representing services
for schools. OSPA members were present at our booth to promote the profession of school psychology and mental health
services for children and youth. Participants at the conference received promotional items, handouts on critical
issues such as school violence, and the opportunity to register for a NASP publication.
Those who deserve thanks for assisting at the conference are Angie Love, Shelley Geyer, Tracy Fenton, Rosemary
Mulkins, Kelly Davis, Nancy Barton, Susan Linde, Linda Sanders, and Mary Ellen Jones.
Susan Moody of Sand Springs was the winner of the drawing for Crisis Prevention and Response: A Collection of NASP
Resources.
Plans are being made to have a booth set up at the annual OEA Convention to be held at the Tulsa Convention Center
on October 18th. Also, we will be represented at the Annual Fall Forum on Children's Issues sponsored by the Oklahoma
Institute for Child Advocacy on October 24th – 25th at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Please contact
Angie Love if you would like to help with either event.
Tracy Fenton, John Corpolongo and Shelley Geyer
Nancy Barton and Susan Linde
Kelly Davis, Darla Griffin, Shelley Geyer and Tracy Fenton
Mary Ellen Jones and Shelley Geyer
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OSPA Editorial Policy
1. This editorial policy shall apply to all OSPA publications regardless of originating committee, and to all written
editorial material distributed as official OSPA activity. This includes (but is not limited to) the Association
newsletter, monographs, conferences brochures, and committee bulletins. Committee reports, minutes of meetings,
and similar materials documenting organizational activities are not included.
2. Articles and reports of factual information may be edited to conform to space limitations, format specification,
or to improve clarity, without permission of the original writer as long as the articles has not been previously
published.
3. Expressions of opinion as in editorials, reviews, and letters may be edited only with the original writer's
comment. No editorial commentary will be published without citing source.
4. All original sources will be credited: material used with permission from other sources will identify and credit
that source, and note any approved modifications from the original.
5. All items submitted are subject to acceptance or rejection at the editor's discretion. Long articles may be
returned to the writer for revision. Every effort will be made to insure the content of any OSPA publication provides
a balanced viewpoint and that space is allotted for member response.
6. Material which appear in OSPA publications may not always represent official organization policy. Statements
of policy or Executive Board positions will be so identified.
7. Editorial statements and subjective reviews should reflect ethical and professional standards. Comments, which
might be offensive, personal, or reckless, will be reviewed and may be returned to the writer for revision.
8. All editorial material distributed by OSPA will be reviewed by the chair of publications or designee to assure
adherence to this policy and to provide consultation regarding publication.
Submit materials to Peggy Kerr, Ph.D., Newsletter Editor, at pkerruco@aol.com.
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Treasurer's Report - July 1, 2001
to August 15, 2001
| Reserve Account Balance |
|
2801.38
|
| Beginning Checking Account Balance |
|
12582.13
|
| Income |
|
|
| Dues Income |
2,975.00
|
|
| Fall Conference Income |
0.00
|
|
| Sales Income |
0.00
|
|
| Interest Income |
7.92
|
|
| Spring Conference Income |
0.00
|
|
| Total Income |
2.982.92
|
|
| Expense |
|
|
| Total EB Expense |
121.27
|
|
| Fall Conference Expense |
1,260.45
|
|
| NASP Participation |
0.00
|
|
| Newsletter Expense |
0.00
|
|
| Spring Conference Expense |
0.00
|
|
| Awards & Honors |
0.00
|
|
| Membership |
0.00
|
|
| PR/PI |
452.60
|
|
| Standing Committee's – Other |
0.00
|
|
| 2001-02 Budget Expenditures |
1,095.83
|
|
| Total Expense |
2,930.15
|
|
| Ending Checking Account Balance 8-15-01 |
|
$12,634.90
|
| Total Assets |
|
$15,436.28
|
Nancy Barton, Treasurer
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What's
so great about an ISPA Colloquim?
At this year's colloquium in Dinan, France, a group of international School Psychology Association (ISPA) leaders
and representatives of national affiliate associations generated a list of what is so special about an ISPA colloquium.
The list was long, the benefits plentiful and varied. Here are some of the ideas.
* Opportunities to network with people from all over the world.
* A family feeling, often like an old time family reunion.
* Make new friends, catch up with old ones.
* Share both personal and work experiences in interaction groups.
* Quality professional training opportunities
* Mix Of practical and scholarly presentations.
* Opportunity to earn continuing education credits.
* Exposure to alternative modes and practices.
* A unique opportunity to get a worldview of education and school psychology.
* Chance to travel and see places not on the typical tourist routes.
* Immersion in unique cultural experiences with international colleagues
* Scheduled day or afternoon trips to points of interest in the region.
* Activities for family members
* Help shape the future of school psychology throughout the world
* Learn about cutting edge issues in other countries.
* Support school psychology in developing countries
* Participate in specific association projects by joining a committee
Sound enticing? With so many reasons to attend, how can you resist? Next summer's colloquium will be held in Nyborg,
Denmark, a picturesque seaside town within easy reach of Copenhagen. Facilities include a modern hotel with an
indoor swimming pool, sauna, solarium, bar, Bistro, restaurant, large, comfortable rooms and state of the art conference
facilities. Some dormitory rooms at lesser cost will also be available specifically for students or persons with
financial need. The colloquium will take place July 25-29, 2002. Registration materials will be ready in December.
Reserve your copy by contacting the ISPA Central Office at ispa-denmark@mobilixnet.dk.
Questions? Contact Peg Dawson, President ISPA, at dawson@nh.ultranet.com
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ISPA DELEGATE NEEDED
The International School Psychology Association is interested in having a delegate in each state who is a member
of OSPA, NASP and ISPA (or is willing to join IS PA) to promote international school psychology at the state level.
ISPA already has representatives in 18 states and Oklahoma is not represented. If you are interested, please contact:
Shirley Natzel, Chair ISPA Delegates, (262) 369-0253 at home
(414) 525-8443 at work,
or email: iqtest@juno.com for additional information.
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COPING WITH A NATIONAL TRAGEDY
NASP and its 22,000 school psychology members stand ready to offer assistance to any child, school, or community
impacted by the horrendous acts of aggression on September 11. The National Association of School Psychologists
has placed information that can help all adults who love and care about children on their website (http://www.nasponline.org).
This information provides ways to help children begin the healing process resulting from this senseless act of
violence. NASP and its National Emergency Assistance Team have gathered practical strategies and coping techniques
that can be easily understood and used by parents, teachers, mental health professionals and members of the faith-based
community to assist children as they try to understand and deal with the terrifying events that have taken place
in New York. Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Some of the suggested approaches have been developed as a result
of the NASP response to other tragic events in this country and others have been adapted from sources outside of
NASP such as the American Red Cross and the National Organization for Victim Assistance.
Additional information and assistance can be obtained by calling the NASP office at 301-657-0270.
OSPA is an affiliate of NASP
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