September, 2007 Volume 34, Number 4

Letter from the

President

by Helen Bakker ISPA President

Having returned home after a fantastic colloquium in Tampere, I am sitting behind my computer to write my first Letter from the President. The colloquium was very successful, extremely well organized by our Finnish friends, and provided us with so many new insights about all kinds of aspects of our work. Elsewhere in this issue you will find a full report by Roger Chauvette. I just want to share some of my impressions and afterthoughts with you. First of all: What a wonderful profession we have, and what dedicated colleagues! I am still enjoying the memories and the energy I got this summer in Tampere. This year again, I was touched by the dedication of our colleagues all around the world. All of us are striving for the same goals: promoting the rights of children, including the right to education, and providing an educational environment that is optimal for learning, development, and growth for all children according to their own needs and abilities. We all believe that psychologists in the educational system can contribute to these goals, so we try to promote our profession and at the same time support schools, teachers, parents, and children. Of course, the means we have available to reach these goals differ. Some of the richer countries have possibilities that less fortunate

countries may envy. But still, within our own context, we all do the best we can. As always, I am left being amazed by how many things we have in common. Even though we all come from different countries, different cultural backgrounds and different educational systems, still there are so many things that we all run into in our daily work as professionals, be it as a practitioner in the school or a trainer or scientist at a university! We deal with issues regarding the emphasis on assessment--often directed by others (often policymakers), the availability of good assessment instruments, how to deal with children from different ethnic or language backgrounds, as well as questions about how to get ourselves in the mind’s eye view of the policy makers. What do we need to do to be seen as an expert professional, one who should be consulted when making decisions regarding children’s education? Whenever I am enjoying an ISPA activity, be it the colloquium, an Executive Committee (EC) meeting or an activity at some conference elsewhere, I can’t help but think of the Disney song ‘It’s a small world’: ‘there’s so much that we share, that it’s time we’re aware: it’s a small world after all’. This has always been one of my favourite songs, and I truly believe in its message. Maybe that is why I enjoy the ISPA family so much? This year again, I found (and still find) myself humming this song time and time again. What a privilege it is to be a member of this small world of ISPA! When it comes to our profession, I have never quite understood why we seem to do so poorly on profiling and promoting ourselves. In some countries, there are no school psychologists at all. Some do have school psychologists, but they play a marginal role, and particularly seem to be forgotten when it comes to policy making. Of course, there are countries too where the role of the

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  Inside this issue

Letter from the President by Helen Bakker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A Wonderful Colloquium in Tampere by Roger Chauvette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Leadership workshop Tampere: Sustainability: Planning directions for the future, by Helen Bakker . . . . . . . . 4

Executive Committee Annual Meeting by Coosje Griffiths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Distinguished Service Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Elisabeth Jacobsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Anna-Lisa Melldén . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Bernie Stein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Committee Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 ISPA Exchange Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 ISPA Ethics Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Colloquium Participants Share Their Experiences in Tampere 9

A Colloquium to Remember by Vlad-Petre Glaveanu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Collquium in Tampere: Impressions and Ideas by Irina Chaus and Colleagues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Good Memory and Personal Development by Hongfei Yang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

In Memoriam: Arthur Englbrecht by Bernard Meissner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Cal Catterall Fund Benefits: ISPA’s International Gift Shop by Betts Rivét . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

The Training of School Psychologists around the World by Peter Farrell & Sissy Hatzichristou . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Welcome to Utrecht for the 30th ISPA Conference by Ellen Mackaay-Cramer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

ISPA Celebrates 25th Birthday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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school psychologist is very well established, and where they are being taken seriously by policy makers. I believe that in the USA, NASP is a good example of that. The same is true, for example, in some of the Scandinavian countries. However, in most countries that is not the case. In Europe, this has been one of the main reasons for the development of a European network (Network of European Psychologists in the Educational System, NEPES). One of its main goals is to develop a platform that will be seen as a partner to policy makers, a partner who can offer expertise regarding issues touching on education. ISPA also will participate in this network. In Tampere the role of ISPA for this network in working toward these goals was discussed in various sessions and contexts (see for example, the report on the leadership workshop). In one of the next WGR’s, I will report further about the developments around NEPES. I would be interested in hearing how similar issues are being dealt with in other parts of the world. Let’s learn from each other how to make our profession stronger! Turning to this year’s colloquium: What expertise and what a lot we have to offer to schools and school systems! Personally, I was happy to see that, when looking at the program, there seems to be a shift in focus from ‘problem based’ and disorder-related presentations towards presentations regarding mental health, well being of children, children’s welfare, etc. It is nice to see a trend towards mental health and well being. Of course, this is one of ISPA’s main missions: to improve mental health of children in the world’s schools.

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In Europe, mental health is one of the key issues on the agenda of the European Commission (EU), and will be one of the first EU-projects in which NEPES will be involved. Given the current times, most likely in other continents it also may be high on the agenda. Louise Rowling, who also provided a pre-colloquium workshop on mental health in schools this year, is chair of the (worldwide) International Alliance for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Schools (www.intercamhs.org). Within ISPA, a research initiative has been undertaken by Bonnie Nastasi, Sissy Hatzichristou, and other colleagues to develop a project on mental health. It is great to see that across the research and school activities from around the world presented at this colloquium, mental health is getting a more prominent place. I believe that this change of emphasis will provide us with the opportunity to reach an even greater school population. It will be an entry way, allowing us to work more on prevention and early intervention, thus reaching more children and effecting more strongly the school environment. In the long run, it should lead to greater benefits. When talking with colleagues from around the world, we very often agree that the core of our work should be optimizing the educational environment, working at the system level, and prevention activities. Asked what they spend most of their time on, unfortunately the answer often is assessment. Just to be clear: I am strongly in favour of good and thorough (needs based) assessment when there is a clear question about how to optimize the learning conditions for a particular child that cannot otherwise be answered. What I am not in favour of is assessment for reasons of referral only, without having any direct impact on the treatment or instruction of the child. My Dutch colleagues will recognize this ‘pet topic’ of mine, which I have often openly voiced in my home

country. However, in EFPA Task Forces on Psychologists in the Educational System in Europe, we found that the similar issue was prominent for colleagues from other countries. I truly believe that we can be more effective when working at the prevention level instead of just at the intervention level, and when working more with the system as opposed to the individual. Given the theme of the Tampere colloquium (Meeting Individual and Community Needs), it was good to see a large number of presentations on attributions and the roles of the teacher and parents. Overall, the colloquium left me with a feeling of optimism: As a profession, we seem to continue to develop, to become more professional. In my eyes, the trend towards embracing mental health as one of our core issues may be a step toward recognition of school psychologists as experts in mental health in the schools. At the same time there is a risk. If we succeed in our prevention and system activities, it may not be so clear what role we actually play. That is, our role may be more obvious when we help a child become less aggressive or disruptive in the classroom, or when we just help him to be referred to special education, as we do now. However, when we are successful at prevention and system activities, the apparent need for our expertise may not be so obvious. I know that our dedication is to our ultimate goal: a better learning environment with the opportunity to grow and not to our personal recognition. This is at the same time both our greatest strength and our greatest pitfall, I am afraid!

 

A Wonderful Colloquium in

Tampere

by Roger Chauvette, ISPA Colloquium Coordinator

This past July 24-28, approximately 350 participants representing 39 countries attended the colloquium in Tampere, Finland, and all, I believe, had a great time. The colloquium was extremely well planned and well organized and provided our colleagues with a wide range of presentations and social activities. From Opening Ceremony to Farewell Dinner, there were many presentations to choose from and ample time for all to take part in the social events. The rainy days during the colloquium did not seem to deter delegates from fully participating in the colloquium or from attending social events and strolling about the city streets.

Participants at Opening Ceremony

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The colloquium venue, Tampere Talo (Tampere Hall), is a very modern and architecturally beautiful structure that offered us conference rooms and an auditorium that were very comfortable, as well as modern conference and telecommunications equipment. It is the largest concert and conference center in Scandinavia and is located across the street from Tampere University and within short walking distance from the “heart” of the city where many of us spent our leisure time. The Hall, which is bathed in natural light from the enormous glass wall on one side of the building and overlooks a very tranquil park and pond, was enjoyed by many.

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Keynote speakers Jari-Erik Nurmi (Motivation and Learning: The Child-School-Parent Triangle), Ingrid Hylander (Consultation as a Tool for School Psychologists. How to help pupils through working with teachers), Jaana Juvonen (School Ethnic Diversity and Student Well-being: Lessons from California), and Sandra Christenson (Parental Disengagement with Children’s Learning and Schooling: Strategies for Fostering Partnerships) provided participants with very interesting and dynamic presentations that were well attended and well received. In addition, three Pre-Colloquium workshops were presented: one by Sandra Christenson (Check & Connect: A Model to Promote Engagement at School and with Learning), a second by Ingrid Hylander (Consultee-Centered Consultation (CCC)), and yet another by Louise Rowling (Mental Health and Wellbeing: Practical Strategies and Programs to Assist all Students Including those with Support Needs in Mental Health). Many paper presentations and poster sessions also were included in the program. Though I have not yet compiled the results of the Colloquium Evaluation Forms that were collected at the close of the colloquium, it appears, from a cursory overview, that the participants felt the quality of the presentations was quite high as was the format of the colloquium. They also appeared to rate the format and organization of the Program Book as very high. The Social Program had something for everyone. At the Opening Ceremony, we were presented with very talented student musicians who entertained us with beautifully arranged music that delighted the audience. Of course, who could forget the dance of the Moomins, whom I had the pleasure of dancing with on stage. Following the Opening Ceremony, participants and guests were transported to the Museum Center Vapriikki. Upon entering the museum, we were greeted by the Deputy Mayor of Tampere who later addressed the group and welcomed everyone to the city. We then were invited to indulge in a buffet. The tours that were scheduled during the afternoon that was free of presentations were fully booked. The Farewell Dinner was held on the island of Viikinsaari, a twenty minute ferry ride from the harbor. Once there, a buffet dinner was served and exuberant dancing followed. All too soon the evening came to an end, hugs were given, and goodbyes were said to “old” and “new” friends.

A particular highlight of the colloquium took place at the General Assembly where Distinguished Service Awards were presented to our very dear friends and colleagues, Elisabeth Jacobsen (past Executive Secretary of ISPA) of Denmark, Anna-Lisa Melldén (past President of ISPA) of Sweden, and Bernie Stein (past President of ISPA and currently ISPA Webmaster) of Israel. (Their acceptance speeches are found later in this issue.) Unfortunately, Elisabeth was not in attendance at this year’s colloquium. Her award was accepted on her behalf by Anders Poulsen of Denmark, who read a letter of acceptance written by Elisabeth.

Distinguished Service Award Winners, from left: Anna-Lisa Melldén, Bernie

Stein, & Elisabeth Jacobsen (accepted by Anders Poulsen, pictured here) The Interaction Groups were well attended. Thanks go to our outstanding Facilitators who led the groups in various discussions and to the participants who chose to attend the groups. These groups are very important to ISPA in that they provide the opportunity for participants to meet and talk about their work and other issues of common professional concern or interest. They also provide the means for participants to meet and make new friends from around the world and for ISPA to gain some insight for future planning. Many of the participants in these groups were seen continuing their discussions into the lunch area and furthering the bonds that were created during the groups.

 

2008 Pre-Conference ISPA Tour June 29-July 8, 2008

Paris, Brussels, The Netherlands For more information, contact:

Bob Cole: rwcchicago@hotmail.com Al Torok, Regency Travel, San Diego:

Interaction Group led by Paul Bartolo(center)

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Finnish Local Organizing Committee

Our many thanks go to Arja Sigfrids and the Local Organizing Committee (Leena Salonen, Raija Antikainen, Sari Pihamaa, Sari Riepponen, and Eija Tommila) for their many hours of dedicated work in organizing, hosting, and making all our participants feel welcome in Finland. I also would like to thank Vesa Nevalainen and the Scientific Committee for all the work put into reviewing and organizing all of the abstracts that were submitted – a formidable task, indeed. Their courage and determination in organizing and hosting the colloquium in Tampere is to be commended, and we are grateful to them for all their hard work and for making this a very memorable colloquium. Lest we forget, I would also like to extend my personal thanks to Heli Alasaukko-oja of Congreszon and her very competent colleague, Vilja Varjoranta, for all the work they have done on behalf of ISPA to make this a most memorable colloquium. As you may be aware, the next ISPA conference is scheduled for 8–13 July 2008 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The first circular, as well as other information relating to Utrecht and The Netherlands, can be found on the ISPA website <www.ispaweb.org>. Now is the time to begin your plans to attend the conference in Utrecht. The Local Organizing Committee, chaired by Ellen Mackaay, has been working very diligently over the past year to make this conference one that you will not easily forget.

 

Leadership Workshop Tampere: Sustainability * - Planning Directions for the Future

By Helen E. Bakker

ISPA President As always, the 2007 ISPA colloquium got a great start with the Leadership Workshop. This year’s Leadership Workshop was geared towards the sustainability of ISPA: How can we assure the continuity of ISPA for the future, both in terms of membership, involvement, knowledge, and skills and in terms of activities? The goal of the day was to develop some initial activity plans, contributing to strategic planning and future directions of ISPA. After a brief round of introductions, most of which were unnecessary because the majority of participants had been longtime ISPA members or affiliate representatives, Coosje

Griffiths helped us to ‘dare to dream.’ What would we want from ISPA in the future? It was wonderful to hear people’s perceptions of ISPA: warm, family, supportive, etc. Dreams for the future included more visibility, more opportunities (and money) to be able to offer support where it is needed (particularly in developing countries), increased involvement of students and young colleagues and much more. Just listening to experiences and dreams made you want to be a member of this community! We then continued with an introduction on sustainability, based on a publication by Patricia Rogers (2006). Rogers* emphasizes that in order to plan for sustainability, it is important to carefully develop strategies that fit the outcome goals and what it is that needs to be sustained (knowledge, skills, ideas). That is, strategic planning is key to achievement of the desired sustainability.

[* Rogers, P. (June 2006). Sustainability. Collaborative Institute for Research, Consulting and Learning in Evaluation. Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth.]

We then worked in six small groups on proposing ideas to further develop key activities and key topics of our association. Each group was asked to come up with concrete outcome goals and suggestions for first steps to take. Some of the suggestions that were emerged from these discussions are described below: Research. Research has been developing more and more as a key activity during the past few years, with Bonnie Nastasi and Shane Jimerson taking a leading role. Two research initiatives are well on their way (school engagement and psychological well being of children), and were further discussed during the Tampere colloquium. It was emphasized that for the future it is important to tap funding organizations: How do we get access to funding resources that we know are out there? Regarding the future, it was suggested that we develop a session on methodology and have the research committee play a role in supporting research initiatives. That is, we should not only carry out research projects as individual ISPA members/researchers, but also offer (methodological) support to research initiatives carried out by other ISPA members. Communication. Another key activity of ISPA is communication, particularly visible through the website, the World-Go-Round, and School Psychology International, but of course also through other means. The questions about how we can reach people who do not speak English, and how we can better provide information to them were identified as key issues. It was proposed that we make small fact sheets with information about ISPA and its activities and have

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these translated into various languages that can be made available through the website and through distributing them in countries where each language is spoken. Mary Stafford already has taken the initiative to obtain agreement from various members to translate these fact sheets into French, Hindi, Mandarin, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish. It was discussed as well that we need to be aware that not everybody has easy email access. We need to ensure that we still provide those colleagues with information through other means. The importance of building up student membership and involving young colleagues also was stressed. This can be done by actively contacting universities around the world where school psychologists are being trained, notifying students about our activities, as well as by involving (affiliate) associations. At future colloquia, workshops specifically geared towards students may be organized. Finally, we need to find out more about what is going on in our field in various countries. For future WGR issues, Mary Stafford will contact members from various countries to write a brief paragraph about something that is going on in school psychology in that country in order to publish these briefs in WGR and/or place them on the website. School Psychology Services and Projects. In this group, several possible projects were discussed. The first involved developing and improving a training program in Bangladesh. There also is an interest in building a school psychology association in this country. ISPA and its members can contribute by providing training and visits, as well as by supplying materials. Of course, this will involve the need for funding. The second issue involved increasing opportunities for international practica for students. The international exchange committee has initiated some exchanges already, but it is very difficult to get practica abroad to be accepted for credits within the degree-granting institutions. ISPA can play a leading role in encouraging universities to recognize international practica. It also was suggested that a group of ISPA members develop a course on international school psychology that can be built into existing training programs. Finally, a project initiated by our Samara colleagues (using children’s drawings as a means to better understand their perception of the world) was discussed. It was decided to actually meet during the current Tampere colloquium to get some interested colleagues together and initiate a project plan. Colleagues interested in this project may contact Irina Chaus. In addition to these core activities, three groups were formed around current key topics of interest to school psychologists and ISPA. Their work will continue into the coming year. Crisis Management. Crisis management already is an activity that has proven very successful in the past with both the International Crisis Response Network and the training activities around crisis management, particularly geared towards European school psychologists, and funded by Comenius (European Union). For the future, new goals were formulated: to develop Train the Trainer courses; to develop training courses for more ‘day to day’ crisis situations, like bullying or suicide; and to develop training courses to train religious teachers to work with teachers in crisis situations. Finally, there is an already initiated intention to develop a European Training Center.

Social and Emotional Learning. The main goal for this group for the direct future is to raise awareness of the importance of social and emotional learning in teachers, the public, and the media. This goal fits well within the broader ISPA goal of promoting mental health in children. This goal can be reached by developing guidelines around how to raise awareness in the media about the importance of understanding children’s social and emotional learning and mental health and by developing strategies to raise the awareness of the importance of including programs in social and emotional learning in schools. ISPA can play a role in contributing to the development and offering of these programs and in promoting this issue through their communication channels. Multicultural issues. Two main activities for the near future that were suggested by the multicultural group are: to develop standards for assessment of children with different ethnic or language backgrounds, refugees, etc.; and to collect examples of good practice: that is, evidence based programs and strategies that work, and where needed, further develop these or other programs. Overall, many ideas were recommended that may help ISPA sustain and grow. The issue of the need for funding and sponsoring actually came up in most groups. As a result, the Executive Committee (EC) will discuss the option of installing a Task Force that should investigate sponsoring and funding opportunities. Members who think they can contribute to this: please contact me or any of the other EC members. Other concrete initiatives, not particularly related or limited to one of the above topics was to develop a student network and a network of school psychology trainers. The last issue was also further discussed during the remainder of the Tampere colloquium. In the afternoon session of the Leadership Workshop, we discussed the initiative to develop a Network of European Psychologists in the Educational System (NEPES). This network was established during the European Congress of Psychology in Prague in July 2007, through the collaboration between EFPA (European Federation of Psychologists Associations) and ISPA. During the Tampere colloquium, NEPES was discussed in various contexts, and we took the opportunity to inform the ISPA leadership of this move and poll their ideas about how to best be involved. Overall, there was strong support for the ISPA participation. NEPES can play an important role in strengthening the lobby for our profession and play an important role at the political level. It also may provide new opportunities for research (and funding!). ISPA will invite the NEPES network to have its annual meeting every other year during the ISPA colloquium. The alternate years the network will meet at the European Congress of Psychology. It was recommended to guarantee a good representation of ISPA through direct involvement of the European Committee and close contacts with the European ISPA affiliates. They will be directly consulted on NEPES issues and will be informed through email, WGR, and the website. All in all it was a very inspiring meeting, where many good ideas were born. Now it is up to all of us to follow up on these ideas and make things happen! Colleagues who feel connected to any of the topics mentioned and want to contribute to the future development of ISPA are more than welcome! Just contact the chairs of the particular committee, or one of the EC members.

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Thanks to all participants, for their inspiration and ideas! A special thanks to Coosje Griffiths for contributing to the framework of the day, and for enthusiastically guiding our dreams, and to Erica Voigt, Anne-Lisa Melldén, Bernhard Meissner, Bonnie Nastasi, Mary Stafford, and again Coosje for guiding the small group discussions.

Let’s get to work!

Executive Committee Annual Meeting Tampere, Finland, July 2007

by Coosje Griffiths Secretary of ISPA

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EC Meets in Tampere, from left: Nora Katona, Bob Clark, Peter Farrell, Helen Bakker, Peter Whelley, Bill Pfohl, Coosje Griffiths

The Executive Committee (EC) held its annual meeting prior to, during and after the 29th Conference in Tampere, Finland. The chair of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Arja Sigfrids, and all the members of the organizing committee worked hard for the success of the Conference. Roger Chauvette assisted with the Conference as Conference Coordinator. The evaluation of the Conference provided by participants indicated a very positive response to the Conference with highly positive to positive being the majority response and virtually no negative responses. This feedback spanned from the scientific program itself to the organization, format, social activities and support provided by the organizing committee. The modern facilities and technology support provided in Finland was noted as well as the warmth and friendliness of colleagues and that of the local organizers. Comments included the opportunities that the Conference provided including:

“Sharing cultural similarities and differences in school settings; warm and friendly atmosphere; very well organized, well attended; as a first time participant, meeting a lot of really great people, being made to feel very comfortable and having a great time.”

It was noted that attendance throughout the conference was high for all sessions including the interaction groups. The Annual Executive Committee experienced some changes with the Peter Farrell’s completion of service as Past President of ISPA and the commencement of Bill Pfohl as President Elect. The past year had seen some major changes in the ISPA organization during Nora Katona’s term as President, whereby the Central Office functions in Denmark under the leadership of Anders Poulsen and Elisabeth Jacobsen moved to National-Louis University, Illinois, under the leadership of Executive Secretary Bob Clark. Other new positions include the new editor of World*Go*Round, Mary Stafford, and the Cal Catterall Fund coordinator, Janet Muscutt. Mary commenced with editing the WGR issues in March 2007, with each member of the EC taking a support role for one of the issues. Bernie Stein continues to provide an excellent website and

Bob Burden continues to coordinate the production of the journal School Psychology International, which also is strengthening in its output and distribution. In order to strengthen the role of the Member’s Only page on the website, it was decided to increase the number of keynote addresses and electronic articles in this section of the website. The first opportunity to test the web’s on-line voting system will involve the change of the term “Colloquium” to “Conference” to reflect the more commonly used term for this key ISPA activity. In recognition of their long-term contributions to ISPA honorary awards were presented to Elisabeth Jacobsen, Anna-Lisa Mellden and Bernie Stein at the General Assembly. Anders Poulsen accepted Elisabeth’s award on her behalf. The main activities reported on by Nora Katona included the change of the Central Office; publication of the Handbook of International School Psychology; the UNESCO affiliation project involving non-violent behaviour management strategies in schools; efforts to support Jean-Claude Guillimard’s representation of ISPA on the UNESCO committee and to become chair of that committee; Bonnie Nastasi’s establishment of a library to Sri Lanka and the crisis intervention workshops, which were active throughout the year. In addition, the ISPA committee structures have been further clarified and developed. Another major topic in the EC agenda included future Colloquia. The final negotiations were made with The Netherlands LOC for the Conference in Utrecht. A future Conference site for 2009 is being explored in Malta, as well as other possible sites for other future Conferences. The financial situation was discussed in detail. The financial basis of ISPA continues to rely on the individual memberships. The profits from Conferences are reduced with countries increasingly using professional organizers. Slight increases in membership fees were agreed to at the General Assembly and ideas for generating an increased flow of income is one of the priorities of the EC. The fees will be increased on sliding scale as follows:

A) $60 to 65, with SPI $93 (Net income above US$ 25,000) B) $55 to 58, with SPI $86 (Net income US$ 15,000 – 24,999) C) $50 to 52, with SPI $80 (Net income US$ 6,000 – 14.999) D) $25 to 27, with SPI $55 (Net income below US$ 6,000 or

retired) E) $49 to 54, with SPI $82 (Student) F) $80 to 100, with SPI $128 (Associate)

The affiliate membership would be raised from $100 to $150 as a base rate. It was agreed to clarify the structure of Committees in the following ways:

1. STANDING COMMITTEES • Ethics • Research • Professional Development: Colloquium Coordinator • Cal Catterall Fund • Advocacy: Children’s Rights and UN Liaison • Communications: Web manager; WGR Editor

2. TASK FORCES • Crisis Response Network

3. INTEREST GROUPS • Child Development and Services – social,

emotional, learning • International Exchange

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• Other possible future groups: students; trainers, consultee-centered consultation

It has not been clarified whether the European Committee (including NEPES) will be a task force or interest group. Each of these committees and interest groups has a designated leader and an EC member assigned to support this important work within the context of ISPA. All of the Executive Committee are thankful to all members of the Local Organizing Committee for facilitating our work and making the Conference in Finland such a successful event. The 29th Conference and the EC meetings ended with important decisions being made for the future of the Association as well as scientific and professional sharing of ideas across a diversity of cultures and countries.

Distinguished Services Awards Received by Three ISPA

Leaders in Tampere, July 27, 2007

Elisabeth Jacobsen, Anna-Lisa Melldén,

Bernie Stein

Three ISPA members who have provided leadership for and service to ISPA for many years received Distinguished Service Awards. They were Elisabeth Jacobsen, Anna-Lisa Melldén, and Bernie Stein. Their acceptance speeches follow. Anders Poulsen delivered the speech for Elisabeth, who was unable to attend.

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Elisabeth Jacobsen Receives Distinguished Service Award

Elisabeth on left; on right: Anders Poulsen, accepting award for Elisabeth and delivering her acceptance speech

Dear friends,  So very nice memories come to my mind when I recall the many but very different colloquia in which I have participated. During the years I have constantly had the feeling that it was my privilege to serve ISPA and not the opposite. Also in other ways I am and have been in a favourable situation, living in a rich country in which education is free for all even at university level.

I do not remember my childhood’s school as always humane and fair. Luckily it was many years ago. Things have changed for the better. Nevertheless, the Danish School System also is a constant challenge for school psychologists to make improvements for the benefit of children. I want to quote a famous Danish author and theologian, Grundtvig, from the 19th century. He said: First of all, you have to become a decent human being. After that, you can consider if you want to become a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist or whatever. Nothing matters if you are not a proper human being before anything else. I think this understanding is an unwritten rule between ISPA members that gives us a feeling of community, a sense of having joint challenges, in spite of great differences in our ways of living and the possibilities offered to us in our jobs. Therefore, we also have to realize if we want to play a role for other human beings - children are no exception - we have to give up some of our own privileges. The Norwegian author Henrik Ibsen has expressed it this way: You have to realize you have given nothing unless you have given something from yourself. Thank you to the Executive Committee for nominating me for this ISPA award. I am honoured and accept it with gratitude. Of course I wish it had been possible for me to go to Tampere and receive it personally but my family situation does not allow it. I am sure you are enjoying every minute of your stay in Tampere. I also am convinced our Finnish colleagues have organised the program perfectly. Certainly you will be offered challenging experiences for both mind and body. I will look forward to meeting you in Utrecht next year. Elisabeth

Anna-Lisa Melldén Receives Distinguished Service Award

Dear Colleagues and Friends, First of all, I want to thank the Executive Committee for giving me this award – it is a great honour to me and I feel happy to receive it and….deeply moved. ISPA has been an important part of my professional and personal life for many years. I am happy I have had the opportunity to work for ISPA in different ways. The tasks have sometimes been rather challenging, such as arranging the Colloquium in Stockholm 1982. I still remember many nights struggling with the program, the financial plan, reading and writing letters and information in English with my new dictionary beside

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me on my desk. Sometimes it is good not to know too much about what kind of work you have accepted. However, I am glad I took on the Stockholm Colloquium as well as the EC-position and I am grateful for all good support I have had. I have got lots back - new knowledge and experience and new colleagues and friends from different parts of the world. The work in ISPA has given me new perspectives both professionally and personally. Since my very first contacts in 1975 with what should later on become ISPA, I have felt there is something very special with International School Psychology. Attending colloquia during many years as well as working as an ISPA officer have confirmed and strengthened this feeling. During the years I have seen psychologists devoted to work for the best of our children, exchanging knowledge and experience, trying to understand the sometimes very different circumstances under which both children and professionals live and work in our world. The basis of this work is from my point of view a combination of personal and professional commitment, which I hope will continue to characterize ISPA. We know that these efforts really have made positive differences not only for individuals but also for communities. I am convinced that ISPA will continue to contribute to positive changes for children throughout the world. I think that sound psychological knowledge and the use of it within the educational systems will be even more important in the future. As far as I understand, children and youth will have to cope with worldwide problems and threats to an extent that my generation did not have to do, just to mention drugs, violence, and pollution of the environment. Our children need to learn how to work together, how to communicate, how to share resources and responsibilities in a better way than we as grown-ups obviously have. They need to learn to see possibilities despite the difficulties! ISPA has an extremely important task to support development in that direction. I hope we can make a big difference for the best of our children! I am now retired and no longer working as a school psychologist. But in my rather new role as grandmother, I find this goal even more important. With happiness and pride I will show my grandchildren this award and tell them that there are grown-up people in the world, like you ISPA-friends, who care about all children and who will continue to work for the best of all children. Thank you very much EC and everybody and good luck with your ongoing and important work. I hope I can meet you again at another colloquium and that I now and then can be of some use in ISPA work. Anna-Lisa

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Bernie Stein Receives Distinguished Service Award

Many of the good things that have happened to me in my life were not planned, nor were they ever a part of my life goals. Becoming involved in ISPA was one of those happenings, and for this I am truly grateful. My first contact with ISPA was in 1977 when I participated in the second colloquium that was held in Elsinore, Denmark. There I met Cal Catterall and Anders Poulsen, and with them it was decided to hold the 1980 Colloquium in Jerusalem. After that I dropped out of school psychology, but returned to it in 1994 when I was appointed Chief Psychologist in the Israeli Ministry of Education. Two months later I led a team of psychologists to Buenos Aires after a terrorist bombing destroyed the local Jewish Community Center and killed almost 200 people. Our mission was to help the 42 Jewish day schools in the city set up crisis intervention programs. For me it was my first experience in such a situation, and from it I learned a lot and also grew up – and it also led me back into ISPA, when I attended the 1995 Colloquium in Dundee, Scotland to present my Argentine experience and was immediately attracted to the dynamism of the association. A year later I was a keynote speaker in Eger, Hungary, and it was there that Tom Oakland approached me and suggested that I run for president (an idea that had never ever crossed my mind…) From that point on, I became intimately involved with ISPA; I served on the EC for six years; and when I completed my term, I volunteered to take over the website, which had been foundering rather badly for most of its brief life. I knew nothing about websites, but saw this as a challenge and also as a way to stay involved with the daily life of ISPA. My good fortune was to receive full support and encouragement from the Executive Committee and from the Central Office in Copenhagen – and I particularly want to mention Peg Dawson, Peter Farrell, Gunter Schneider, Sissy Hatzichristou, and Elisabeth Jacobsen for their blind faith in me, a faith which left me with no option but to prove that I can do the job… I am truly grateful for this award – I never did what I did for ISPA in order to get a reward, but this honor which ISPA is bestowing upon me today is more than gratifying and I want to thank the EC for deciding that I was worthy of such an honor.

Deadline for submission to the December issue of WGR

One of my favorite quotes is by Fyodor Dostoyevsky: The soul is healed by being with children. Perhaps that is why ISPA is so full of people who have so much soul – they spend a lot of time with children! This is an organization with a soul and I will continue to do all I can in the future to keep it alive and a significant voice for the children of the world. November 10, 2007

Continued on page 9

I have taken many photographs of ISPA people over the years, and I want to share with you just a few of those that are particularly close to my heart. For me, these pictures portray the soul of this association. And please listen to the words of the great Satchmo! Bernie (Note: This speech was followed by a video of ISPA moments created by Bernie Stein with accompanying music by Louis Armstrong singing It’s a Wonderful World.)

Committee Reports, July 2007

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ISPA Exchange Committee Report

by Joanne Wasco, ISPA Exchange Committee Chair

Having committee meetings at the colloquia is WONDERFUL because ideas come from both new members and those who have worked with this committee for a number of years. This July we had a lively discussion about two main issues: 1. How to make the committee more active between colloquia; 2. How to deal with the MANY exchange requests that now come

through the website, primarily from persons who are NOT members of ISPA. Often these requests are for information like finding jobs or internships.

First issue: The committee members will contribute articles and information regularly for the WGR. Hopefully, you will see something in every issue. Our next article is scheduled to be about work in international schools, including first person accounts of how they got their jobs and what they do. A new committee member has agreed to write about her own experience. If other ISPA members who are reading this also have experiences to share, please email me and I will try to put it all together for another article. Second issue: How things change…now MORE requests for exchange information/advice come from non-ISPA members via the website than from ISPA members! The exchange codes A, B, C, in the membership directory (thank you Gunter for making that happen) indicate the level of exchange interest of each member, so individuals can simply go to the membership list in the January WGR and see for themselves. Actually I suspect that most of the contacts are made person to person when attending one of the colloquia. People who are NOT members of ISPA are NEVER given email contact information of members. However, in the past, I have forwarded such requests to ISPA members who have indicated an interest in what is requested. After a lively discussion, the committee has developed a policy only to use the website for requests of non-ISPA members. We will be sure to alert members to what is posted through WGR. And of course, all requests from ISPA members will be handled directly as well as through posting possibilities. Current Exchange Requests: 1. INTERNSHIP WITH STIPEND AVAILABLE in Alaska: ISPA

member Herb Bischoff indicates that he works with Hope Community Resources www.hopealaska.org, an organization that provides supportive services to individuals with disabilities. For more information contact Herb, a longtime ISPA member, at bischoff@alaska.net.

2. Study visit for the identification and treatment of depression in students in the UK and USA will be made this autumn by Sue Martinov (new member) from Australia. Please contact her if you can exchange information or invite her to visit your program: smar3353@bigpond.net.au.

Exchange requests posted on the web from non-ISPA members include: 1. A request for an international internship in school year 2008-

2009 from a university student in the USA fluent in Spanish. 2. A request from a university professor in USA who would like

the opportunity to do “guest lecturing” on a variety of topics related to the applications of social psychology to school psychology. He is also interested in developing faculty exchange programs.

Please feel free to contact me with questions, concerns, and ideas (jcwasco@sbcglobal.net). Thanks, Joanne Wasco Personal note: Originally the Exchange Committee had co-chairs. I have been a member of the committee since the colloquium in Rhode Island and then served as co-chair with Lukas Scherer from Switzerland. However, after Lukas took on duties involving ISPA and the United Nations a new co-chair was never named. WE NEED ONE! If you are interested, please contact me or Helen Bakker. Thanks, Joanne

ISPA Ethics Committee Report by Mary E. Stafford,

ISPA Ethics Committee Chair

The ISPA Ethics Committee was inactive in 2006-2007. This is primarily due to added responsibilities of the chair of this committee, Mary Stafford, who has assumed the duties of Editor of the World*Go*Round. The Executive Committee is in the process appointing a new chair for the Ethics Committee.

Colloquium Participants Share Their Experiences in Tampere

A Colloquium to Remember

by Vlad-Petre Glăveanu, Faculty of Psychology and Educational S nces, cie

University of Bucharest, Romania Just a few days after the 29th ISPA Colloquium “Meeting Individual and Community Needs” and, while putting everything in order, I finally have time to think about this experience. The first thing that comes to mind or, better said, to heart, is the strong feeling of belonging to the ISPA community. Even as this is only my second participation in an ISPA colloquium, I already feel like part of the family and this makes me very proud. There aren’t many associations that can praise themselves with such an accomplishment. For everyone to wait impatiently a whole year to attend the colloquium and meet not only other colleagues or members, but friends, is at the same time unique and extraordinary.

Continued on page 10

Throughout the colloquium, I never felt alone or isolated. On the contrary, there were always people around eager to exchange ideas, to greet, to discuss with, to offer their support, and to share their impressions. If I were to portray a regular ISPA colloquium participant in just three words, these words would be: enthusiastic, friendly, and cheerful.

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I remember all that I have learned in terms of the latest findings in the field (research projects, national or international initiatives and intervention plans) through the keynotes, oral/poster presentations, and workshops I have attended. I mostly enjoyed the extremely well-balanced programme of the colloquium, including both presentations and social events, keynotes and group discussions, scientific and leisure activities. Meeting people that share the same research interests and the promise of future collaboration has confirmed the fact that conferences are, above all, huge opportunities for extending the professional network. In this regard, the ISPA Colloquium in Finland has been a “beginning” for me as one of the newest members in this vast community of school psychologists worldwide. This leads me to my third impression, that of having met so many people from so many different countries and cultures, many of whom have travelled half way around the globe to attend the colloquium. It is a priceless experience due to a combination of diversity (considering the cultural background) and unity (considering the common interest in school psychology). We must add to this the inimitable Finnish setting of the reunion: enormous lakes and old green parks, the funny Moomins and exquisite art galleries, chilly weather and steaming sauna, black sausages and raw fish. All of these and many more stand for Finland and Tampere and contribute to the perfect image of a special gathering. I have been very fortunate to be able to attend the 29th ISPA Colloquium and I owe a debt of gratitude to the Cal Catterall Fund and the whole association for the wonderful initiative of offering financial assistance to young psychologists and encouraging their participation. I think this is a wonderful opportunity, both at a personal and professional level. Many more school psychologists who are otherwise unable to attend should be aware of this opportunity and consider applying for a scholarship to attend the next colloquium. It proves once more that ISPA not only discusses and promotes but acts on supporting education, communication, cooperation, and equal opportunities for all members, regardless of country or financial resources. I acknowledge and value this support and find it at the same time as being a sign of generosity and appreciation. It is a credit I have been given, one that I am grateful for and that makes me even more responsible for my future development as a professional. I have heard so many people at the colloquium saying that “Once you come to an ISPA colloquium, you will return.” This is definitely true in my case. I have spent the most wonderful days in Finland. I treasure all my memories and already am making plans for coming back to ISPA, the association to which I feel I belong.

Colloquium in

Tampere: Impressions and Ideas

by Irina Chaus, Inna Matasova, Maria Shatalina, and Nadezda Gorshkova

Faculty of psychology, Samara branch of the Moscow City Pedagogical University, Samara, Russia

[Translation by Konstantin Matasov]

A month ago there was the closing ceremony of the ISPA colloquium in Tampere, but now we find that we miss our colleagues and new friends. We thank the organizers of the colloquium for their warm reception of us and the friendly atmosphere that they created at the opening ceremony. We were glad to take part in this colloquium in the anniversary year of ISPA. The colloquium was special for us too. The first time a representative from Samara, Irina Chaus, took part in an ISPA colloquium was in 1998. This year our delegation consisted of six persons: Irina Chaus, Inna Matasova, Konstantin Matasov, Maria Shatalina, Darya Shatalina and Nadezda Gorshkova. It was exciting and pleasant to meet a person among our colleagues/psychologists who spoke perfect Russian: Jürg Forster. His openness, friendliness, and humour helped us, the Russian school psychology delegation, to take part in the Leadership Workshop. The result of this work was support for a project of the Samara delegation: The World as Seen by Children. It is important to note the successful form of presentation of scientific reports in the form of posters. Posters have considerably facilitated intercultural communications and have allowed the establishment of professional and friendly communications with colleagues from different countries. In particular, the psychologists from more than 11 countries became interested in posters by Inna Matasova and Nadezda Gorshkova. Inna Matasova’s poster presented the results of the KNOW HOW project. This project is funded under a grant that is supported by the European Union, the Flemish government, and the organization De Sleutel. The project established a laboratory of Developmental Psychology at the Samara branch of the Moscow City Pedagogical University (SF MGPU). The project is focused on prevention of addictive behavior and helps children to learn life skills. Similar work is being done in different countries of Europe, the USA, and Japan. It would be interesting to employees of the laboratory to exchange experiences and research findings from similar programs. Nadezda Gorshkova’s poster was focused on the findings of the project Children’s High Abilities, in which an adaptive educational environment was created at Samara’s Daytime Boarding School-84. An example of a successful adaptation from this project is found in Samara students who arrived at Tampere and helped the parents and teachers to carry out the intercultural communications. The participation of Samara’s students in the colloquium was made possible through the personal help of Nora Katona and Helen Bakker.

Have you renewed your membership?

If not, please do so! Continued on page 11

Unfortunately, some of our colleagues could not attend the colloquium because of various difficulties. It would be great if there would be online forms of dialogue in future colloquia. It would expand the audience of ISPA considerably.

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In Russia there are public organizations: the Russian Psychological Society, the Russian Federation of Education Psychologists, and the Russian Association of Students-Psychologists (RASP), whose members are ready to develop international communication and cooperation in framing various scientific projects. The regional agency of RASP has worked successfully in Samara for two years. The results of the joint students’ research projects have been presented in the poster by Inna Matasova, who is the coordinator of RASP in Samara. Interest in this work was shown by colleagues from Romania, Slovakia, and USA. Joint students’ projects could become one of the opportunities to attract young experts to participate in ISPA. This idea was heard often during the colloquium. We want to thank the president of ISPA, Helen Bakker, for support of our organization. Our friendship began in 2005 when Helen arrived in Samara and gave a lecture for student-psychologists and school psychologists in the Samara branch of the Moscow City Pedagogical University. It was a valuable experience and a great opportunity for a dialogue with a foreign colleague, not only for our students, but also for teachers and school psychologists. It would be great if that form of cooperation with ISPA would be continued in the future. We wish once again to thank all the participants and organizers of this colloquium for cooperation and support of the Russian delegation.

Good Memory and Personal Development

by Hongfei Yang, China This is my fifth colloquium. Finland is a dreamland, for I am from hot Hangzhou in China. What if I could stay in Finland for summer and then go back home in golden Fall? Wouldn’t that be nice? However, the most important experience for me was to be involved in ISPA’s academic activities. In Tampere, I did my first presentation. More participants attended my presentation than I expected. They showed much more interest than I imagined beforehand. Am I a low-esteem guy? No, it just made me very happy. I presented a poster together with Professor Hans-Peter Trolldenier, Department of Psychology, University of Wuerzburg. It is my first cooperative project with a professor abroad. I also served as an interaction group leader. To be an interaction group leader is a good chance for personal growth. Participants gave me a lot of support and I felt I was able to do something special for ISPA. The key note addresses and other presentations opened my mind a lot. I got some ideas about research and practice. I hope more Chinese school psychologists will join ISPA and I will try my best to promote psychological services in China.

In Memoriam: Arthur

Englbrecht On September 2, 2007, Arthur Englbrecht died unexpectedly at the age of 59 of a pulmonary embolism while he was jogging. Arthur was highly respected by his colleagues and had many friends among ISPA members.

Arthur started his professional career as a teacher in 1976, and became a school psychologist in 1980 after getting his diploma in psychology. Between 1992 and 2002, he chaired the Bavarian School Psychology Association. During his successful leadership, school psychology achieved quite some progress in Bavaria and Bavarian school psychologists were well respected in Germany. Arthur was appreciated as a school psychology trainer and presenter in many workshops for school psychologists, teachers, and school administrators in his state, in Germany, and in foreign countries as far away as China. He was author of articles and books that brought useful best practice to the public. During the last ten years Arthur recognized the importance of international collaboration and was part of many relevant projects. He especially committed himself to spreading knowledge and skills in crisis management in schools for European school psychologists through many ISPA organized courses. He was a person who was always full of energy, love for life, good ideas, and sensitive perceptions. It was a pleasure to work with him. For us, his colleagues and friends, it is sad to have lost a very competent colleague at such a young age. However, the memory of Arthur will provide us with inspiration to go on working for the well-being of children, adolescents and teachers in schools around the world. Bernhard Meissner

Cal Catterall Fund Benefits: ISPA’s International Gift Shop

by Betts Rivét The Cal Catterall Scholarship Fund is $3,000 US richer, thanks to the generosity of the Finland Colloquium participants who took the time to come to the table to buy items that were displayed. Many, many thanks. The raffle at our final dinner also was a huge success. If the FUND could talk, it would be overwhelmingly

appreciative of YOUR support. Thanks to everyone! You should know that: 1. All items on the table are donated by colloquium attendees. 2. All table and raffle proceeds go directly to the Cal Catterall

Scholarship Fund. Continued on page 12

3. Cal Catterall was the founder of ISPA and was intent on spreading School Psychology around the world by having an annual conference. His tragic death prompted the formation of the fund to honor his vision.

4. The fund provides needed financial assistance to people worldwide whose application reveals inadequate financial ability to attend the colloquium.

5. Seven individuals attended the colloquium in Finland as a result of donations made to the fund.

6. For next summer’s colloquium in Holland, applications for financial assistance can be secured from Peter Whelley <whelley@ispaweb.org>.

Again thanks to you who helped perpetuate Cal’s vision AND immeasurable thanks go to three people who gave countless hours to help me at the table. They are Wendy Kovalaskas, Nancy Papagno, and Beth Bereki. They did a tremendous job of accepting donations, pricing them, and being on hand to sell the multitude of items donated. This cannot be done by one person; it is a team effort. I encourage you to donate to the Cal Catterall Fund in whatever way is easiest for you. We’ll have another table in Holland next summer, so bring a gift or two or three to donate to the cause.

See you there!

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The Training of School Psychologists around the World: A New Section on the ISPA Website (www.ispaweb.org) - Members Only

Section

by Peter Farrell (peter.farrell@manchester.ac.uk)

and Sissy Hatzichristou

(hatzichr@psych.uoa.gr)

At the 29th ISPA colloquium in Tampere, Finland, a symposium was held which focussed on developments in the training of school psychologists in different countries. At the symposium six university staff involved in training gave a short presentation during which they highlighted key themes and issues that related to developments in their own country. Symposium participants also were provided with more detailed information about each of the training programmes that were featured. The symposium prompted a lively discussion and interchange of ideas. A further symposium on training at the Utrecht colloquium in 2008 is already being planned. In addition, the idea was put forward of having a section on the ISPA website that is devoted to training issues. Up to now this new section contains the following subsections: 1. The abstract of the Symposium at Finland. 2. Completed answers to a questionnaire about training from the

countries represented at the symposium in Tampere and some power point slides that provide an overview of the responses.

3. A blank questionnaire for those involved in training to complete and send to the website.

4. Website addresses giving information about where to find more details about school psychology training programmes in different countries.

We invite you to contribute to this section of the website. • If you are a trainer, let us have information about your training

programme. Please complete and return the questionnaire. • If you have any materials that you use to support the training of

school psychologists that you would like to share, please send them to the website.

• Recently trained school psychologists – please write about your experiences of training.

• School psychology practitioners – please share your experiences of working with training programmes – both the good and the not-so-good!

• Please comment on possibilities for carrying out internships in different countries to the one where your training programme is based.

And send your contributions to WGR as well! Please look at this new section on the website. Please give us or Bernie Stein (webmaster; stein@ispaweb.org) your suggestions as to how it can be developed and expanded.  

ISPA Colloquium 2008

Welcome to Utrecht for the 30th ISPA

Conference

by Ellen Mackaay-Cramer Conference Convenor, on behalf of the

Dutch LOC

The Dutch Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is delighted to invite you to the next ISPA conference from July 8-13, 2008 in Utrecht, Netherlands. We are very honoured to organize this marvellous event and we will do our best to make this ISPA conference as successful as we have experienced this year in Tampere and during prior years. The 2008 conference site is the Educatorium of the University of Utrecht. We have booked 300 single rooms at a very reasonable price on the campus of the University College Utrecht. The opening ceremony will be in the famous Dom Church, the ancient heart of Utrecht. Utrecht is the oldest town in the Netherlands, founded in 50 AD. The many churches, canals and yards remind us of the time of the Middle Ages. For centuries until now, Utrecht is the religious centre of The Netherlands. But Utrecht is also a very lively and trendy city. You can shop in little boutiques and have your coffee or dinner on the terraces of the

Continued on page 13

wharf cellars at the canal. The colloquium site is situated 20 minutes walking distance from the centre of Utrecht. The best way to explore the city is by bike. Public transportation is also very good. The conference theme is School Psychology in a Changing Society. We asked our keynote speakers, including Mark Greenberg (Australia), Elena Grigorenko (USA), Karine Verschueren (Belgium) and Fons van de Vijver (the Netherlands), to reflect on this theme from different points of view (social and emotional development, cognitive development, cultural diversity). Our scientific committee chair, Marcel van Aken, hopes to get a lot of contributions from you to make this conference scientifically and professionally a success as well. We have two deadlines for the submission of abstracts: November 15, 2007 and April 15, 2008. Preference will be given to abstracts submitted by November 15. You will find information about the conference on the ISPA website <www.ispaweb.org> and on the Conference and Meeting Site (CMS) website <www.cmscongress.com>.

We hope to see you all next year in Utrecht!

ISPA Celebrates 25th Birthday On August 3, 2007, ISPA President Helen Bakker sent the following email to ISPA members:

Dear ISPA member, Tomorrow, August 4, 2007, we are celebrating ISPA's 25th birthday. Although the international activities had already started in 1972, when the International School Psychology Committee was formed, the formal founding of ISPA as it is today, took place 10 years later, in 1982. We are very happy to be able to celebrate this happy occasion with you. Thanks to you, ISPA is a very lively, warm and inspiring professional association. Our yearly colloquium is still very special, with professional and scientific inspiration in the warm atmosphere of a family. We just experienced that again in Tampere, Finland. Of course, a special thank you and birthday wish to those of you who have been active in ISPA since it's founding or even before that! We are especially proud to celebrate this day with you! I hope you will all take a moment today to reflect on your ISPA experiences and memories, and will continue to be an active part of this 'silver' association! Happy birthday! Helen E. Bakker, ISPA president

This email elicited responses from numerous members. Here are some of those responses: Such a unique anniversary with unique experiences and memories! Happy birthday to all who shared unique experiences in ISPA's development process! Sissy Hatzichristou, Athens, Greece

1982-2007: From Stockhom to Tampere,

25 years of ISPA memories. Best greetings, Jean-Claude Guillemard, Paris, France

Happy birthday at our 'gold' association. Jean luc Pilet, France Happy birthday for all members. With respect, Antanas Valantinas, Vilnius, Lithuania Yes, this is a historic occasion, one worthy of celebration. Tom Oakland, Gainesville, FL, USA I am glad to know that ISPA celebrating its 25th birthday. I became a member of ISPA in 2004. These three years gave me a deep insight into school psychology. ISPA is really doing a lot for third world countries for the development of school psychology. ISPA is a name of a worldwide family. We are far apart, but our hearts are close to each other. ISPA gave us a platform where the freedom of speech is really appreciated. I always consider ISPA as my family. I am nothing without ISPA. I am proud to be an active member of ISPA. I love to do something for the development of ISPA. I always pray to GOD for its development, prosper and extensive existence. Best regards, Shahid Waheed Qamar, Lahore, Pakistan A happy anniversary to ISPA! What a wonderful achievement. The committee members should have a special pat on the back. Sue Hawick, Burradoo, NSW, Australia What a great testament to what we do! I am impressed! Bill Pfhol, Bowling Green, KY, USA Dear friends, let's go on sharing our wonderful experience and rich memories. It is a gift that all of us belong to an association that has brought a change to our lives, a group of dedicated people—that makes it worthwhile to travel nearly every year around part of the world. Thanks to all of you! To me, it is 25 years of enrichment in professional and private contacts. Kind greetings to those of you who could not come this year! I hope to meet you again. Erika Voigt, Germany A very special congratulations to you and the ISPA leadership of the past many decades. Tom Fagan, Memphis, TN, USA

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International School Psychology Association’s

Distinguished Service Award 2008 Please provide the following information about the person you are nominating: Name ____________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ E-mail address _____________________________________________

Use additional pages for the following: Please describe the nature and length of the nominee’s services in one or more of the categories. You also may include a copy of the nominee’s vitae. Include the nominee’s 1) work that contributed to strengthening ISPA

committees or other administrative features; 2) work associated with the annual colloquia; 3) published articles on international school psychology

and ISPA. Please return this completed form and additional pages to the following address before February 1st, 2008.

ISPA Central Office Attention: Robert D. Clark, Ph.D., Executive Secretary National-Louis University 122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 6035 Chicago, IL 60603-6119, USA

The ISPA Distinguished Service Award is made in recognition of outstanding services to the Association over an extended period of time. Persons eligible for this award are fully paid ISPA members and exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: • Work within the ISPA committee structure and through

their work has made important contributions to the work of the committee or other aspects of ISPA administration;

• Work associated with the annual colloquia (e.g., promoting its organization, reputation, or effectiveness);

• Published articles on international school psychology and ISPA in World Go Round, School Psychology International, or other widely circulated publications.

Please provide the following information about yourself: Name _____________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ E-mail address _____________________________________________

Tell your colleagues about ISPA!

For information about

becoming a member,

see the ISPA website at

http://www.ispaweb.org/t5.html

2008 PreColloquium Tour 6/29/08 to 7/6/08

Castles Along the Rhine: 9 Days from Basel to Amsterdam

Please join us for this unique opportunity to see medieval castles, enjoy the breathtaking landscape of rolling carpets of terraced vineyards and old world towns. Space is limited and there is a $150 per person early booking discount. The cruise is in the $2,100 range depending on accommodations chosen. The tour will include an 8-night cruise and 6 shore excursions as well as most meals and an English speaking staff on the boat and on tours. For additional information and a mailing, please contact Shirley Natzel via email at snatzel@whitnall.com or phone at 1-262-369-0253.

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BOOK REVIEW: by Thomas Oakland

University of Florida Research Foundation Professor

FASCINATING READING!

Anders Poulsen: Childbirth and Tradition in Northeast Thailand. Forty Years of Development and Cultural Change.

(NIAS Press, Copenhagen 2007, 240 pg) _______

The goal of this monograph, to present and thus preserve information about traditional Thai culture in a northeastern village associated with childbirth and related issues, is superbly achieved. Dr. Poulsen’s focus on childbirth in this rural area serves as the most in-depth analysis of this topic that ever was or will be attempted. Dr. Poulsen's work over many years allowed him to observe the total modernization of the birth and in the care taking of infants and children. He was privileged to be able to develop close and intimate relationships with those living in a rural Thai community. The trust and faith the women had in him together with his initiative and intuition as to the importance of his missions enabled Dr. Poulsen to penetrate beyond the superficial and to provide insightful descriptions of practices associated with birth and subsequent development. Dr. Poulsen's sensitivity to and respect for the area's history and traditions is clear. For example, he discusses in some detail the possible psychological value of many of the rituals practiced in this community. The mother's access to suitable medical practices was limited, and these rituals are described as having some beneficial impact on the recovering mother and on helping to set a positive tone for the baby's entry into his or her world.

Childbirth and Tradition is likely to have considerable appeal to Southeast Asia area specialists, historians, social and cultural anthropologists, and social psychologists. Also graduate students studying South East Asian languages, those in linguistic and comparative philology as well as research libraries in various sciences will be interested in this monograph. The ritual texts included in the manuscript as well as their translations may become an important source for text-based studies. The information in Childbirth and Tradition is in-depth, different from what I read previously about life in Thailand, and written in an engaging style. Thus, I found the reading to be fascinating.

----------------- Anders transfers 25% of your payment for his monograph to the Cal Catterall Fund if ordered here. How to order: Inclusive mailing by air the monograph costs 60 US$ (or 43 €, or 29 £), of which 25% will be transferred to the Cal Catterall Fund, which assists members from low income countries to participate in ISPA colloquia. You can pay the monograph in the following ways: Bank transfer: Transfer the amount to. SPAR NORD, Swift SPNODK22; IBAN No. 7193851110110223 mentioning ”Payment from Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.____” . If your payment is arranged by bank transfer, please forward the Ordering Form airmail (or the same information e-mail) to Anders Poulsen, Skovkilden 4, DK-2880 Bagsværd, Denmark (anders.poulsen@c.dk) Pay by Check: If you pay by check you are requested to add 15% to the amount, as the Danish banks have a charge for cashing checks. Make check payable to Anders Poulsen. Airmail your check together with the Order Form to Anders on the above address.

ORDERING FORM Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms. Name_______________________________________________________________________ Street and number__________________________________________________________ Postal code________________________ City____________________________________Country___________________________ e-mail_____________________________ I am hereby ordering the monograph: Childbirth and Tradition in Northeast Thailand to be forwarded to me airmail at the above address. My payment of _______US$ / Euro / £ of which 25% shall be transferred to the Cal Catteral Fund is forwarded by

θ Transfer to SPAR NORD, Swift SPNODK22; IBAN No. 7193851110110223 mentioning ”Payment from Mr., Mrs., Dr.____________________________”

θ Enclosed check

ISPA HAS THE FOLLOWING NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AS AFFILIATE MEMBERS: Australia: Australian Guidance  and Counselling Association. Denmark: Pædagogiske Psykologers  Forening. 

Finland:  Suomen  Psykologiliitto,  The  Board  of  School  Psychologists.  France:  Association  Francaise  des  Psychologúes  Scolaires  (AFPS)  and  Association Nationale  des  Psychologúes  de  l’Enseignement Catholique  (ANPEC).  Georgia:  Georgian  Professional  Psychologists  Association  (GPPA).  Germany:  Sektion  Schulpsychologie  im  Berufsverband  Deutscher  Psychologen.  Greece:  Hellinon  Scholikon Psychologon Eteria and Division of School Psychology, Hellenic Psychologica Society.  Iceland: Félag Sálfrædinga  í Skólum  Israel: Division of Educational and School Psychology,  the  Israel Psychological Association. Latvia: Latvia School Psychology Association. Netherlands, The: Dutch Association of Psychologists (NIP), Division Youth. Norway: Forum for Psykologer i Skolen. Russia: Russian Federation of Education Psychologists. Slovak & Czech Republics: School Psychology Association of the Slovak and Czech Republics. Sweden: Föreningen Psykologer  i Förskola och Skola. Switzerland: Schweizerischer Vereinigung  für  Kinder‐  und  Jugendpsychologen  SKJP.  Turkey:  Psychological  Counselling  and Guidance  Association. United  Kingdom:  Association  of  Educational  Psychologists  (AEP)  and Division  of Educational and Child Psychology of the British Psychological Society (DECP). USA: National Association of School Psychologists, American Psychological Association, Division of School Psychology, Illinois School Psychologists Association, Massachusetts School Psychology Association, New Hampshire Association of School Psychologists, the Society for the Study of School Psychology, and Wisconsin School Psychologists Association. 

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