Psychologists present papers at scholar forum

In an effort to build bridges between psychologists and researchers in giftedness and talent, APA's Center for Gifted Education Policy collaborated with Frances Horowitz, PhD, president of the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, and Dona Matthews, PhD, director of Hunter College's Center for Gifted Studies and Education, on a Scholar Forum held Dec. 12 in New York City.

The forum focused on how developmental psychologists account for giftedness in their research. Four papers by research psychologists specializing in specific stages of human development were commissioned with funds from the American Psychological Foundation, including:

• Early childhood, by John Colombo, PhD, University of Kansas.

• Childhood, by Lynn Liben, PhD, Pennsylvania State University.

• Adolescence, by Sandra Graham, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles.

• Adulthood, by James Birren, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles.

Five psychologists specializing in gifted children were invited to respond to the commissioned papers:

• Early childhood, by Adele Gottfried, PhD, of California State University, Northridge, and Allen Gottfried, PhD, of California State University, Fullerton.

• Childhood, by Ellen Winner, PhD, of Boston College.

• Adolescence, by Frank Worrell, PhD, of the University of California, Berkeley.

• Adulthood, by Daniel Keating, PhD, of the University of Michigan.

Commissioned papers were distributed in advance of the meeting. Each developmental psychologist had 15 minutes to draw the group's attention to the key features of his or her paper. Respondents had 25 minutes to discuss their respective papers. Papers, responses and highlights of the conference discussion will be organized into a book, most likely to be published by APA.

The Coalition for Psychology in the Schools and Education (CPSE) convened for its biannual meeting, Dec. 16–18, at APA headquarters in Washington, D.C. APA's Education Directorate sponsors the coalition, which promotes cooperation among APA divisions, interest groups and affiliates working to enhance education and teacher training. Coalition members represent 13 APA divisions, the Committee of Psychology Teachers at Community Colleges, the Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools, the Council of Representatives' Child and Adolescent Caucus, the Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs, the Committee on Psychological Tests and Assessment and the APA Board of Educational Affairs.

Meeting attendees discussed ways for psychologists to help implement evidence-based practices under the 2007 reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. In addition, they discussed preliminary results from APA's Teachers' Needs Survey. The multiple-choice survey is gathering information about teachers' perceptions of the need for professional development in several areas, including classroom management, instructional practices, classroom diversity and family outreach. The coalition will use the survey results to help inform public policy, including the reauthorization of NCLB, and also to design professional development modules for preschool through high school teachers. CPSE is offering sessions at the American Educational Research Association Conference, April 7–11 in San Francisco, and the APA Convention in New Orleans, Aug. 10–13, and invites affiliates and division representatives to attend the meetings and become increasingly involved in the coalition's activities. To learn more about the coalition, contact Heidi Sickler, CPSE program officer, via e-mail or Ashley Edmiston, administrative coordinator in the Center for Psychology in Schools and Education, via e-mail.

The Board of Directors Task Force on the Impact of Elementary and Secondary School Zero Tolerance Policies convened Dec. 14–15 in Washington, D.C., to make recommendations on the development and implementation of zero-tolerance policies in elementary and secondary schools that are consistent with psychological science.

APA Past-president Ronald F. Levant, EdD, appointed the six-person task force. Members were selected because of their expertise in child development, behavior management, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of children with disabilities, the function of elementary and secondary schools as complex organizational systems, and the role of psychology in creating change in schools. The task force, which is chaired by Cecil Reynolds, PhD, includes Jane Conoley, PhD, of APA's Board of Educational Affairs, Sandra Graham, PhD, of APA's Board of Scientific Affairs, Peter Sheras, PhD, of APA's Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice of the Board of Professional Affairs, Russell Skiba, PhD, of APA Div. 16 (School), and Enedina Vazquez, PhD, of APA's Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest.

Participants examined issues related to ethics and diversity in the implementation of zero-tolerance policies and prepared a report and set of executive recommendations for federal and state legislative action.

The task force submitted the report and executive summary to APA's Board of Directors in February so it could be placed on the April APA consolidated meetings' agenda. For more information about the task force, contact Heidi Sickler, CPSE program officer, via e-mail or Ashley Edmiston, administrative coordinator in the Center For Psychology In Schools And Education, via e-mail.

Psychological scientists seeking to brush up on old skills or learn new ones are invited to attend an Advanced Training Institute (ATI) this spring and summer. The courses–sponsored by APA's Science Directorate–provide researchers with training in cutting-edge technology and methodology, and are open to faculty, postdocs and advanced graduate students.

Past courses have covered topics including functional magnetic resonance imaging, and longitudinal methods, modeling and measurement.

Upcoming institutes include:

• Nonlinear methods. This course will introduce researchers to methods for finding nonlinear patterns in their data, including quantitative recurrence analyses and fractal methods. Course instructors will also provide software to assist in such analysis at the ATI, which will take place at the University of Cincinnati, July 17–21. The application deadline is March 15. Visit www.apa.org/science/ati_nlm.html to apply.

• Web-based research. At this ATI, researchers will learn how to create Web pages that collect data for experiments. Participants will also explore the possibilities of online data sharing. Instruction will take place July 10–14 at the University of Northern Iowa, in Cedar Falls. The application deadline is March 15. Visit www.apa.org/science/ati_wbr.html to apply.

For more on ATIs and other training opportunities, visit the APA Science Directorate Web site at www.apa.org/science.

APA's Psychology Department Program (PDP) is a one-stop resource for education in psychology. Now in its second year, the program provides a way for graduate and undergraduate institutions to access teaching and advising publications as well as subscriptions to APA magazines and newsletters. Participating institutions receive, for one year, the following:

• "Concise Rules of APA Style," an easy-to-use pocket guide compiled from the "Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association."

• "Graduate Study in Psychology," an annual publication with the most current information about graduate programs in psychology, including entrance requirements, application deadlines and accreditation.

• "Resource Guide for Departments," a brief reference guide about student scholarships and awards, financial support for teaching conferences and undergraduate research opportunities.

• "Careers in Psychology," a video and accompanying guide that provides information about the many careers open to psychologists.

• Student affiliation memberships. PDP provides three student affiliate memberships for the department to allocate.

• "Behavior Matters" booklet series, an informational pamphlet that describes how behavioral research makes a difference in everyday lives.

• Psychology club certificate, an APA certificate of recognition for your psychology club.

Departments also receive the following annual subscriptions:

• Monitor on Psychology, APA's magazine, which is published 11 times per year.

• gradPSYCH, APA's quarterly magazine for psychology graduate students, which highlights innovative psychology careers, student finances, training and supervision information, graduate student lifestyle issues and emerging trends in psychology practice, research and education.

• Psychology Teacher Network, a quarterly newsletter providing general information, events information and suggestions for teaching in psychology.

• The Educator, a biannual newsletter of the APA Education Directorate.

All participating departments or programs will be listed on the APA Web site, with a link to the department included. The cost for 2006 is $300. More details can be found at www.apa.org/ed/pcue/psydeptprog.html. For more information, contact Martha Boenau, assistant director of the Office of Precollege and Undergraduate Education, at (800) 374-2721, ext. 6140; e-mail.

The Committee on Children, Youth and Families (CYF) seeks nominations from individuals interested in linking research and policy for children and families within APA and the profession. CYF is particularly interested in candidates with substantial expertise and demonstrated experience applying psychological knowledge to the well-being and optimal development of children, youth and families; and in issues advancing psychology as a science and profession in the area of promoting health and human welfare.

The committee seeks candidates who have particular expertise in contemporary issues facing children, youth, and families, including rural mental health and promoting healthy lifestyles for children, youth and families. Candidates who have particular interest in underserved and ethnic-minority populations are also particularly encouraged to apply.

Members are expected to participate in a targeted project directly related to CYF's work and mission and to APA as a whole. The project will be completed during their three-year term on the committee. Areas of interest to the committee at present include rural children's mental health, mental health disparities and cultural diversity.

Committee members serve for three years and attend two committee meetings a year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by APA. Members attend, if possible, the informal CYF meeting held during APA's Annual Convention at their own expense. In addition, members work on projects and committee business between meetings.

To apply, submit a letter indicating a willingness to serve, a brief statement describing the applicant's expertise and interest in one or two contemporary issues facing children, adolescents and families, and a current curriculum vitae. The nomination deadline is Aug. 28. Candidates have the option to have no more than three letters supporting their nomination submitted to the committee. Send the materials to CYF Nominations, c/o CYF Administrative Coordinator, Public Interest Directorate, at the APA address, or by e-mail to Mary Campbell, CYF officer; fax: (202) 336-6040.

–E. Packard

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