Addressing the growing shortage of school psychologists was a key focus during the State Board of Education meeting on Wednesday. Data presented by NC Healthy Schools highlighted the stark gap between the current availability of school psychologists and the recommended ratios.
The Current Landscape
According to the report, there is currently one school psychologist for every 1,928 students in North Carolina as of 2024—an increase of 73 students per school psychologist compared to the previous year. This figure dramatically exceeds the recommended ratio of one psychologist per 500 students. Alarmingly, 21 school districts across the state lack any school psychologists on staff.
Recommendations to Bridge the Gap
Representatives from the Whole Child North Carolina Advisory Committee and NC Healthy Schools urged the Board to prioritize funding and policy changes to address this shortage. Among the key recommendations presented:
- Advocating for Specialized Personnel Funding: The committee emphasized the importance of increasing funding for school psychologists, counselors, and social workers as part of a broader push to strengthen classroom and student support services.
- State School Psychology Position: The Board was urged to support the hiring of a full-time state school psychology position housed at the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). This individual would lead statewide recruitment efforts to address the pipeline issues in the profession.
Barriers to Progress
Despite these recommendations, the overarching issue remains the lack of qualified candidates within school psychology training programs. “Right now, we do not have enough people in school psychology programs to fill positions, even if we got them all licensed,” said Ellen Essick, section chief of NC Healthy Schools.
Board Chair Eric Davis underscored the critical nature of the shortage, calling it a reflection of the state’s priorities. Addressing the shortage, alongside the need for more teachers, requires sustained commitment and investment at the state level.
The Way Forward
The discussion highlights an urgent need for action to close the gap and ensure that no district is left without the psychological services that students need to thrive. By tackling the funding and recruitment challenges head-on, the state can begin to align itself more closely with the recommended ratios and better support students’ well-being.
