What does NASP recommend about ongoing professional development?

The recommendation that continuous development is encouraged for competence aligns with the principles established by NASP regarding the importance of lifelong learning in the field of school psychology. Ongoing professional development is vital for practitioners to maintain and enhance their skills, stay updated with the latest research and best practices, and ensure that they can effectively meet the needs of the populations they serve.

This principle supports the idea that professionals in this field should engage in a variety of learning opportunities, including workshops, conferences, peer collaboration, and further education. Such continuous growth allows practitioners to adapt to changing educational contexts, emerging mental health issues, and evolving standards within the profession.

In contrast, portraying professional development as optional downplays the necessity of staying current in a complex and evolving field. Focusing solely on administrative skills or limiting development to new technologies would not encompass the comprehensive nature of the competencies needed by school psychologists, which include both clinical skills and an understanding of various intervention strategies, ethical practices, and diverse needs of students and families.