School Psychology InternshipSchool Psychology InternshipBroward County Public SchoolsBroward County Public Schools

Broward County Schools Broward County Schools (1 of 2)(1 of 2)

Nation’s 6th largest accredited school system

2nd largest in Florida138 elementary, 42 middle, and 32 high

schools; 16 adult/vocational centers, 10 special centers, 45 charter schools

Diverse student population and staff

Broward County Schools Broward County Schools (2 of 2)(2 of 2)

Approximately 30,000 FTEs

Approximately 273 schools serving 240,000 students

56 languages spoken and over 160 countries represented

Approximately 35,000 ESE studentsAn additional 10,000 gifted students

Psychological ServicesPsychological Services

Approximately 160 school psychologistsFour administrative areas; one district officeUnique Family Counseling Program In 1990, received the APA/NASP Excellence in

School Psychological Services Award In 2002, received the FASP Innovative Practice

in School Psychology Award for district-wide threat assessment training

Internship Facts and FiguresInternship Facts and Figures

Up to 12 accepted for internship each year Full-time placement required for entire academic year Application deadline is January 31st Interviews are conducted in February, with notification

of selection by first week in March Stipends are $110/day for a maximum of 216 days, or

approximately $23,700/year Application information available on-line at:

www.browardschools.com (go to Departments, then Psychological Services, then Internship)

Internship Experiences Internship Experiences (1 of 2)(1 of 2)

Direct ServicesConsultation and

InterventionProfessional

Development ResearchSpecialized Services

Internship Experiences Internship Experiences (2 of 2)(2 of 2)

A wide range of experiences with diverse student populations and varying service delivery activities is provided by:Placing each intern with a primary supervisor at an

anchor schoolHaving each intern complete at least 3 rotations

through other settings (e.g., preschool, E/BD centers, Autism clusters, alternative programs, etc.), with additional supervision

Providing district support for consultation and other indirect service delivery activities

Direct ServicesDirect Services

AssessmentCounseling

Individual

Group

Consultation and InterventionConsultation and Intervention

Collaborative problem solving model (for team-based and individual consultation cases)

Design, implementation, and evaluation of interventions in general and special education

Year long training sequence integrated into the full internship experience, with district office support

Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

Participant (take advantage of district, community, state, and/or national trainings and workshops)

Trainer (present trainings and/or workshops to school or district staff)

ResearchResearch

Opportunities to participate in departmental projects

Opportunities to conduct independent research, contingent on district approval

Specialized ServicesSpecialized Services

Assisting with threat assessments and violence prevention activities

Assisting with crisis and recoveryAssisting with DIBELS and progress

monitoringAssisting with bilingual assessments and

other ELL projects

Professional GrowthProfessional Growth

SupervisionActivities ChecklistCompetencies

ChecklistRotation EvaluationExperience

Evaluation

SupervisionSupervision

Supervisors, mentors, and interns are expected to have regularly scheduled meetings to discuss progress and any areas of concernWeekly with primary supervisorMonthly seminars at district levelMonthly support for consultation cases from

district office psychologists

University level supervision as required

Activities ChecklistActivities Checklist

Throughout the year the supervisor conducts on-going evaluations and tracks progress using the Activities ChecklistTo assure that each intern receives a

broad array of experiences with a variety of students, and with differing service delivery activities

Used primarily for formative evaluation

Competencies ChecklistCompetencies Checklist

Formal evaluation is completed bi-annually using the Internship Competencies Checklist

Additional formal evaluation may be completed using required university evaluations

Both used primarily for summative evaluation

Feedback from InternsFeedback from Interns

Interns have the opportunity to provide feedback on their experience and satisfaction by completing the Rotation Evaluation and Experience Evaluation forms

Our Interns Say Our Interns Say (1 of 3)(1 of 3)

“This past year has been an invaluable learning experience. The opportunities I had and the challenges I overcame have made me a different person.”

“The field of school psychology is evolving, and Broward County is at the forefront of those changes, at least in Florida. I’m excited to be a part of a progressive school system . . .”

“I feel that the supervision provided was excellent.”

Our Interns Say Our Interns Say (2 of 3)(2 of 3)

“I had so many interesting and challenging cases this year. It has been a great learning experience, one that I can apply to my career in any setting.”

“I feel that I received the internship experience that was promised to me when I interviewed for the position, and so much more . . .”

Our Interns Say Our Interns Say (3 of 3)(3 of 3)

“My growth, professionally and personally, during this experience, is reflected in a greater sense of assuredness in my abilities as a school psychologist.”

“Making the decision to move back to Florida for internship was absolutely the right decision after this experience! I have learned more, and become more confident in the profession, than I ever expected.”

Internship ConnectionsInternship Connections

To speak with one of our former or current interns about their experience in the Broward Schools, contact Dr. Mark Lyon, Acting Director:

mlyon@browardschools.com