Responding to the Needs of Children, Families, and Schools: The 2002 Multisite Conference on the Future of School Psychology

In April 2001, the presidents and presidents-elect of the eight major national and international school psychology organizations gathered at the convention of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) in Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the merits of having a major conference to discuss the current and future directions of school psychology. Among the professional organizations represented were the American Academy of School Psychology, American Board of School Psychology, Division 16 of the American Psychological Association, Council of Directors of School Psychology Programs (CDSPP), International School Psychology Association (ISPA), National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), Society for the Study of School Psychology (SSSP), and Trainers of School Psychologists (TSP).The purpose of the present article is to describe the procedures and activities before and during the conference. The problem solving model that provided the vehicle for processing ideas about the collective futures of these organizations is described initially. Then each phase of the conference is explained.