Educational & Professional Goals As a school psychometrist, my goals are to use tests to identify and assign students to special education or gifted programs. I will be an advocate for students to ensure they are properly evaluated and diagnosed. My areas of special interest is special education. This is due in part because a lot of students are casually diagnosed with ADD/ADHD whereas intensive assessments would likely reveal deeper rooted issues. I will make it my primary duty to assess students without regard to their race, religion, or background. My desire is to work in a school setting with all range of children. My focus where I would like to develop expertise is autism because it is such a broad spectrum and it appears more students are being diagnosed in that area. For that reason, I desire to learn as much as possible so I can properly assess/diagnose. MY PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY FUTURE PLANS The future holds many opportunities for a school psychometrist. But for myself, I see it as the perfect opportunity to explore after retirement. My hope is to finish the program and find summer or part time work that will afford me the chance to gain experience with assessment. In the event I land a full time job in psychometry before retirement would be a blessing in disguise. I foresee at least ten years or more in the field of school psychometry. I am even open to exploring testing in a mental setting if at all possible. I want to learn as much as I can about assessments, evaluations, and diagnosis. Roles/Purposes of a School Psychometrist Ethical Themes • Respect for the Dignity of Persons: I will focus on the dignity of all persons that encompasses the rights of individuals to include privacy/confidentiality and fairness and justice. • Responsible Caring: I will make sure in my practicing school psychometry there is a daily commitment to benefit others and practice within the boundaries of my competence to do no harm. This also means that I will only engage where I am qualified and competent. • Honesty and Integrity: I will build and maintain trust and demonstrate integrity in my professional relationships. I will explain all professional services to my students (clients) in a clear, understandable manner. Type to enter text • Responsibility to Schools, Families, Communities, the Profession, and Society: I will maintain the public trust by self-monitoring and peer monitoring; I will respect and know federal law as well as state law and school policies; and I will promote human welfare to improve services to children, families, and others . School psychometrists have several roles but the ones I choose to focus on are assessment and advocacy. Reason being is because I like the aspect of trying to figure out the “why” of something. Knowing a child’s strengths and weaknesses to focus on their academic skills intrigue my mind. Assessment also helps focus on behavioral concerns, personal and emotional development. Advocating for students ensures appropriate education placements. The scientist practictioner model of service encourages me to “investigate” and find research to back up findings for complicated diagnosis. Professional Philosophy (School Psychometry) Leontyne S. Anderson, Ed.S School Counselor, NCC, NCSC I am a graduate student at the University of Alabama where I am obtaining a masters in School Psychometry. Upon graduation, I plan to work in a school setting as a psychometrist. I currently work as a school counselor at an alternative school. I have been in the field of education for 20 years serving as a special education teacher for two years and now a school counselor for the past 18 years. My passion resides with working with youth and particularly “at-risk.”
