Candidates for APA President
What is the greatest single challenge facing the practice of psychology?
Our greatest challenge, growth as a thriving and valued discipline, provides our greatest opportunities. We are the experts in human behavior, inside and outside of the health-care system. As integrated health care providers, technology will impact how we provide care and how care is evaluated. We must shape our future from a position of strength and vision, ensuring these concepts are practically implemented and represent real-world evidence and practice. Beyond health care, we must be flexible and innovative in developing new training and practice models that are both responsive to society's needs and take advantage of emerging marketplace opportunities.
In the past, psychology has had little influence on K-12 education. How can psychology (in all of its applications) be brought to bear to improve how children are educated?
Psychology has had significant influence (Bevan, Kimble, McKeachie and Sternberg, for example) in shaping education policy. Gifted students, disabled students, teacher performance, classroom management, Zero Tolerance policies, high-stakes testing, curriculum design, instructional methodology and outcomes measures are areas where psychology can make a difference. I applaud Dr. Belar's vision for the Center for Psychology in Schools and Education and the APA/IES venture, which is funding 13 psychologists doing school-based research. We have great messages...but not enough messengers. APA must claim its seat at the education table and dedicate the resources needed to make a difference! Visit my Web site, www.DrNordal.com.
