School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 6-69

INSTRUCTION

Psychological Services

1. Generally
   
   The school division shall provide a comprehensive range of psychological services to facilitate learning and promote mental health by addressing the behavioral, emotional academic and mental health issues and concerns of students and staff that effect educational and work performance. These services include, but are not limited to: individual psychological, neuropsychological, and educational assessment; assessment of risk/threat; consultation with school staff, administrators, parents, and other professionals; psychological counseling for students and families; behavioral observation or intervention; curricular modification; case management; crisis intervention; staff development for school personnel; research and program evaluation; professional training of interns and practicum students; and other services as required to address the broad range of educational and behavioral concerns experienced by students and staff in the schools. These services are provided by qualified psychologists or under the direction or supervision of qualified psychologists who are validly licensed through the Virginia Department of Education and/or Virginia Board of Psychology. The school division supports the provision of these services according to the standards for professional practice and ethical conduct of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the American Psychological Association (APA).
   
   
2. Parental Consent
   
   When individual students are identified as needing any type of psychological service, as opposed to psychological services that are provided to all students in a school, grade, or class, parental/legal guardian consent must be obtained prior to providing that psychological service, except in emergency situations. As used in this policy “consent” means that:
   
   
   1. The parent/guardian has been fully informed of all information relative to the psychological services for which consent is sought;
      
   2. The parent/guardian understands and agrees in writing to the carrying out of the psychological services for which his or her consent is sought and the consent describes the psychological services to be provided and indicates what information/records (if any) will be released and to whom; and
      
   3. The parent/guardian understands that the granting of consent is voluntary on the part of the parent/guardian and may be revoked at any time.
      
   4. Parental/guardian consent is not required for students who are 18 years of age and older.
      
      
3. Implementation
   
   The School Board must approve all regulations pertaining to psychological services prior to their effective date.

 

Legal Reference:

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment 20 U.S.C. § 1232 h.

 

Adopted by School Board:  July 13, 1993 (Effective August 14, 1993)
Amended by School Board: June 6, 2006