CELEBRATING OUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND EMBRACING OUR FUTURE

* OKLAHOMA SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION AT 25 *

In 1999 the Oklahoma School Psychological Association will have reached its 25th year. OSPA is uniquely a product of our Sooner State. Some of the same frontier experience which tested the human fiber of the early Oklahomans was present in the inception of OSPA and has been the impetus through a quarter of a decade for the organization in impacting the mental health and educational services for the students in the schools of Oklahoma.

OSPA evolved as a separate organization after disbanding as the School Psychology Section of the Oklahoma Education Association. In February of 1974, a group met and appointed Charles Simon, school psychologist from Yukon, as the interim president. By October 17, 1974, Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State. During this first year, the constitution was hammered out under the leadership of Paul Warden, Ph.D., OSU. With the business end of the organization in place, services to members began with the initial OSPA newsletter published early the next year. The first OSPA Spring Conference was held in April 1975. Membership had tripled from the 45 original members to 140 charter members by February 1976. One of the first issues on which the fledgling group took a position involved unqualified individuals administering psychological batteries and recommending children for special class placement. OSPA went on record as opposing the use of any temporary school psychometric certification or letters of qualification.

This issue remained controversial until the late 1970s, but in 1984 another issue of professional standards arose concerning the requirement of 2 years teaching experience added as a prerequisite for school psychology certification. Under the leadership of Jack Kramer, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma school psychology trainer, OSPA rose to the occasion to impact decisions regarding the professional certification standards for school psychologists.

In the early years of OSPA membership representation was based primarily on job assignment. The five elected representatives were from the Public/Private Schools, State Agencies, Mental Health, Higher Education and Federal Agencies. The five sided OSPA logo, designed by Kathleen Osborn, Ph.D., depicted this organizational style and is still in use as a reminder of our growth from separation by work function to unity based on commonality of regional and state interests.

In an effort to provide service to the widespread membership across the state, a regional organization system was enacted in the spring of 1989 when three regional representatives were elected. Serving as these first regional representatives were Dianne Mathis for the Southwest, Myles Yoes for the Northwest and Sharron Bruton for the Eastern region. In 1992, utilizing an option which existed in the constitution, the regional representation was expanded to 5 regions organized by counties.

OSPA leadership, however, realized that our professional networking extended beyond our state lines. In 1980, affiliation was made with NASP. The first step in our revitalization in 1980 was to rework our by-laws, constitution and fiscal year to match those of NASP. As we planned, we became more organized and responsive to our members. In spite of what appears to be a history of growth and success, OSPA has been through peaks and valleys. At one point, the "valley" nearly meant the death of our organization. Primarily due to a problem of miscommunication, the organization was split into several factions relating to job specific roles. Our membership dropped to 82 members in the early '80s.

Another slump in membership occurred in 1984 . One of the revitalizing aspects of this last "valley" was credited to the attendance of two OSPA Executive Board members to the NASP sponsored West Central Regional meeting. The excitement which they brought back was enough to "jump-start" the organization back on track. Since that time our membership has grown steadily to the current membership of 174. Our yearly budget has increased from a $150 in the early days to $22,000 for fiscal year 1998-99.

Regional collaboration with neighboring states, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas, blossomed from 1985 through 1998 and resulted in OSPA being a co-sponsor of the Central States School Psychology Conference. However, in 1998, the needs of the states were changing and the Central States Mutual Agreement of Intent was dissolved.

For several years, annual Action Plans guided us through our activities to meet stated goals. In June, 1992, under the presidential leadership of Val McClanahan , Ph.D., OSPA developed a three year Strategic Plan authored by David McIntosh, Ph.D. In the fall of 1994, under the leadership of Leslie Hale, Ph.D., Chair, the Strategic Planning Committee composed of Polly Bell, Sharron Bruton, Helen Copp, Steve Crane, Darla Griffin, Mary Ellen Jones, Janet Kirsch, Angie Love, Joyce Lowrey and Charles Simon engaged in a year-long study prior to the development of the OSPA Strategic Plan to guide the association forward into the 21st century. As the process grew, it expanded from the committee to the membership through gathering of Century. As the process grew, it expanded from the committee to input from the membership. After a year of planning and setting goals, OSPA implemented action plans through goal oriented activities. Another critical element of this forward looking process was the revision of the OSPA constitution in 1995. In 1996 the final segment of the reorganization was implemented with the publication of the Operations Handbook. Since that time the Strategic Plan has been revised and upgraded annually with the Operations Handbook serving as a flexible procedural management tool.

One of our major roles was to investigate the role of the school psychologist, currently and in the future. In October of 1996, OSPA hosted the fall conference with the theme "School Psychology in the 21st Century." Conference topics since then have focused on training in expanding the role of school psychologists. In October, 1998, Task Force 2000 was formed with the purpose of studying the condition of school psychology in Oklahoma and generating ideas and positive solutions in advocating for and strengthening the profession of school psychology in the state.

Some of our conferences have served as an unforeseen window of opportunity. In April of 1995, OSPA hosted a conference titled "Crisis Intervention in the Schools" presented by Scott Poland, Ed. D. Unfortunately, just days before the conference, the worst disaster in the history of the United States had occurred in Oklahoma. On April 19th the explosion of the A. P. Murrah Building resulted in an unprecedented number of persons killed or injured. In response to that tragedy, OSPA members rallied to provide mental health services to the students, parents and school faculty/staff who were impacted directly or indirectly by the blast. In the process of drawing on resource for coping with this extreme tragedy, NASP Delegate Joyce Lowrey, utilized services of NASP. NASP West Central Region Director, Stephen Crane, was instrumental in the development of the NASP National Emergency Assistance Team and served as the first chairperson of NEAT in 1996-97.

Our statewide focus is "Kids are Our Only Business". Our eye-catching logo was the product of brainstorming by Shelley Geyer, Ph.D. and other members of OSPA with the art work by then OSPA Today editor, Margo Jones. The motto continues to guide our association in child advocacy issues. OSPA has developed an alliance with several associations in the past five years. The most recent affiliation is with the Oklahoma Safe Kids Coalition. We have had a close connection with the Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy in terms of state legislative involvement on issues affecting the children and youth of Oklahoma. Our legislative committee has been active since 1989 beginning with the leadership of Stephen Crane and continuing through active involvement by Marshall Andrew Glenn , Ph.D., the first SPAN coordinator for Oklahoma. Darla Griffin, Executive Director of Special Education Services and OSPA State Liaison has taken the lead and "carried the torch" on such actions as the adoption of the NCSP credential for school psychology certification in Oklahoma. She is also responsible for breaking down barriers in policy across several agencies to allow Medicaid in schools and to recognize school psychologists as qualified service providers. In 1994 she was honored by the GPR Committee of NASP with a Certificate of Appreciation for her outstanding dedication to children, youth and school psychology.

Our members are encouraged to assume professional leadership roles. This year, through the reinstatement of standing committees and the creation of new committees, each member is provided with an opportunity to serve on committees involved with Government & Professional Relations, Strategic Plan, Professional Development, Public Information & Relations, Ethical & Professional Standards as well as Membership, Nominations/Elections, Awards & Honors, Constitution, By-Laws and Operations Handbook, Publications & Newsletter. Our Student Liaison representation has broadened from one individual representative to the four representatives of higher ed institutions which provide training in psychometry and school psychology. Leadership awards for "School Psychologist of the Year" as well as the "NASP National Legislative Award" have been presented along with recognition for 7 members for exemplary commitment to OSPA through "Honorary Membership" recognition. There is a continuing effort to unite our past and current leaders by recognizing our past presidents. This year we are also honoring those members with longevity in their membership in OSPA. Of the 174 on the current roster, 115 have been a member from 25 to 5 years.

The future of the practice of school psychology in Oklahoma is unlimited. The expertise of our members, in meeting the mental health and educational needs of the students in Oklahoma, has been utilized by inclusion in a wide variety of interagency task forces/councils in efforts to coordinate and advocate for improved services for children and youth in Oklahoma. The expanding role of school psychologists has allowed for an increase in psychological service and consultation to children, families and teachers through school-based services to Medicaid eligible students as health care providers through federally mandated services under the IDEA Amendments of 1977. The future offers challenge as we face the millennium. Concerning the practice of school psychology in our state..."Oklahoma is OK!".

CHARTER MEMBERS SHOW STRENGTH IN DIVERSITY

From February, 1974, through February, 1976, all members to join OSPA were considered charter members. When that period closed, there were 140 members with the following totals by area:

Higher Education 20 members; Mental Health 30 members; Public and Private School 48; and State Agencies 42 members.

In the organizational plan of the OSPA founders were the affiliation of four separate groups which were united in their interest in the mental health and educational needs of the children of Oklahoma. Here is a listing by category of those charter members with the 14 current OSPA members identified in bold print.

Higher Education ( which included both faculty and students)

Steve Arnold, Peggy Brown, Anthony Cancelli, Fay Catlett, Bruce D. Cook, Bailey Hanes, Twylah Haun, Nancy Lentz, Walter Litwin, Mary Comfort Magee, Roy T. Maxwell, Susan Painton, Richard Palazzo, Lee Quiett, Nancy Reece, Donald Reed, Gregory Reed, Linda Reese, M. Ruth Taylor, and Paul G. Warden.

Mental Health (which included SDH Guidance Centers and other agencies, private practice)

James Ahern, John Atwood, Fran Bastone, Michael Blazi, Mary Bowers, Jo Ann Burns, Roger Burns, H. Brent Dietsche, James Hoffmeister, Theresa Hutchinson, Larry Krutka, Bruce Lutz, Irene Moser, B. K. Munro, Mary O'Malley, JimAnn Oliver, Nancy Parker, Yvonne Pennington, Jim Reese, Lucien Rose, John Shadoan, Jerry Simon, Patsy Stanfield, Ted Stephens, Dean Sweazy, Thomas J. Vaughn, James Whitten, Leonard Williams, Ruth Williams, and Herb Wise Jr.

Public and Private School

Willard Adams, Zela Arnett, Jerry Bain, Robert Barthel, Jane Bias, Shirley Bross, Doris Callands, Jeanne Carter, Melba Case, Roberta Gillespie Clark, Mary Cockran, Teresa Costilloe, Myra Crawford, Betty Crutchfield, Jacques Cunningham, Shirley Daney, Paul Davis, Dan Doss, Nell Fine, Anne Fishkin, Billie Heiligman, Elzie Hickerson, Frances Jackson, Thomas Jones, Mary Joe Keatley, Evelyn Lawson, Marilyn Livingston, Patricia Logan, L Carroll Moate, Roger Moyer, Kathleen N. Osborn, Mary Owen, Hazel Belle Perry, Frances Peters, Robert Powell, Wanda Ratliff, Charles W. Simon, Mattie Simpson, Joe Surber, Ruby Thomas, Marion Thornhill, Bonnie Trump, Mary White, Bess Whitehead, Laurita Williams, Linda Wilson, Gayle Yarholar and Myles Yoes.

State Agencies (primarily psychometrists at the Regional Education Service Centers)

Ann Ahern, Bill Allen, Sandra Boyd, Mickey Campbell, Richard Carr, Billie Catron, Fred Catron, Robert G. Clark, Cheryl Conner, Mary Cox, Karol Ellison, Barbara Ferguson, Greg Garabedian, Melva Jo Garrett, Rick Gervey, Mary Jo Green, Virginia Hoover, Kathryn Hromas, Nancy Jones, Al Knox, Leona Lackey, Michael Lacy, Gene Lee, Joan Leeds, Wanda Long, Teresa Loudermilk, Allin Mashburn, Jim Mason, Deborah Murphy, John Otey, Mary Payne, Judy Poindexter, Avis Rambo, Harlyn T. Smith, Pat Tate, Vickie Teel, Dianne Thomason, Jerry Thrift, Frances Wentz, Francis White, Jeri White and Edna Word.

OKLAHOMA SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION HONOR ROLL

PRESIDENTS

1974 (Interim) Charles Simon 1987-88 Stephen Crane

1974-75 Jim Reese, Ph.D. 1988-89 Helen Copp

1975-76 Dan Doss 1989-90 Joyce Lowrey

1976-77 Jacques Cunningham 1990-91 John Corpolongo

1977-78 Jim Mason 1991-92 Val McClanahan, Ph.D.

1978-79 Betty Ray 1992-93 Nancy Rossow, Ph.D.

1979-80 Ken Hobby 1993-94 David McIntosh, Ph.D.

1980-81 Marty Anderson 1994-95 Mary Ellen Jones

1981-82 Bill Allen 1995-96 Angie Love, Ph.D.

1982-83 Shelley Geyer, Ph.D. 1996-97 Peggy Kerr, Ph.D.

1983-84 Leslie Hale, Ph.D. 1997-98 Linda Nickell

1984-85 Darla Griffin 1998-99 Linda Sanders

1985-87 Lynn Pollock Cagle 1999-2000 Debby Wheat

FAY CATLETT AWARD: SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST OF THE YEAR

1986 Ruth Taylor, Ph.D.

1988 Val McClanahan, Ph.D.

1990 Helen Copp

1991 Leslie Hale, Ph.D.

1994 Stephen Crane

1995 Shelly Geyer, Ph.D.

1996 Joyce Lowrey

1997 Marshall Andrew Glenn, Ph.D.

1998 Julie Shackelford, Ph.D.

1999 Peggy Kerr, Ph.D.

HONORARY MEMBERS

1991 Ruth Taylor, Ph.D.

1991 Paul Warden, Ph.D.

1991 Jimmy LV Prickett, Ph.D. 1994 Melva Joe Garrett

1994 Kathleen Osborn, Ph.D.

1994 Myles Yoes 1996 Helen Copp

1997 Charles Simon

1998 Mary Jo Keatley, Ph.D.

25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATES LENGTH OF 113 MEMBERS FROM 5 TO 25 YEARS

Using the membership book and the documentary of historical data which has been put together recently, here is the initial breakdown on people who have been members for 25, 20, 15, 10 and 5 years. We have tried to eliminate errors due to incorrect record keeping, name change (maiden to married) and other record keeping difficulties. At least 60 of our current membership of 157 have been in the organization 10 years or longer.

25 years (5 joined in 1974 and kept continuous membership ): H. Brent Dietsche, Kathleen Osborn Ph.D., Ruth Taylor Ph.D., Paul Warden Ph.D. and Myles Yoes.

20 years (8); Jacques Cunningham, Stephen Crane, Elizabeth Hatcher, Mike Lacy Ph.D., Joyce Lowrey, Sharon Philbin, Sally Reed, and Charles Simon.

15 years ( 24): Thomas Bell, Jane Bias, Sharron Bruton, Lynn Pollock Cagle, Helen Copp, John Corpolongo, Betty Crow, Daine Dicken, Anne Dougherty, Anne Kraft Gray, Darla Griffin, Candis Hogan, Mary Ellen Jones, Lois McKee King, Barbara Martens, Dianne G. Mathis, Rosemary Mulkins Ph.D., W. Val McClanahan Ph.D., Avis Rambo, Mary Ramzel, Robert Roof, Julie Shackelford Ph.D., Weldon Speer and Sandra Tedder Ph.D.

10 years (29): Nicky Ayers, Ann Benjamin , Sharon Brady Ph.D., Gary Chronister Ph.D., Roberta Gillespie Clark Ed. D., Teresa Coker, Kendal Copeland, Sue Crussen, Rebecca Davis, Karen Fritz Ph.D., Marshall Andrew Glenn Ph.D., Darleene Harris, Jami Haywood, Peggy Kerr Ph.D., Angela Love Ph.D., Iris Mc Daniel, Susan McKinney, Mary Comfort Magee, Ph.D., Joanne Necco, Betty Nevills, Linda Nickell, Nancy Rossow, Harlyn Smith, Kay Spence, Leslie Thomas, Joyce Vaughan, Debby Wheat, Pam White, and Martha Wigdor.

5 years ( 49): Shirley Auffet, Lisa Barnes, Nancy Barton, Polly Bell Ph.D., Jean Benson, Margaret Bergant, Cherry Blaker, Pam Cadamy, Terri Cooter, Ann Dow, Linda Duggan, Judith Dwyer, Joyce Foutch, Deanne Goben, Marilyn Grahan, Julie D. Green, Marion Hall, Minna Hall, Carolyn Harpole, Ph.D., Linda Hibbs, Deborah Johnson, Lynnette Johnson, Janet Kirsch Ph.D., Teresa Ledbetter, Susan Linde, Cole Menaker, Brenda Mitchell, Stacey Paddock, Elise Page, Mark Parkhurst, Margaret Phillips, Gerry Pinion Ph.D., Dena Pinson Ph.D., Jimmie LV Prickett Ph.D., Debra Puckett, Randy Randleman Ph.D., Greg Reed, Karen Reese, Harli Reeves, Linda Sanders, Becky Slothower, Marlyn Steffensen, Pam Sylvester, Santa Velez-Conley Ph.D., Linda Walters, Carrie Wedman, Jo Ann Wilson, Michael Wood, and Pamela Yellin, Ph.D.

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