School Psychologist Job Satisfaction Survey Results Report August 2024

School Psychologist Job Satisfaction Survey Results Report  August 2024

The results of the May 2024 school psychologist job satisfaction survey that was given to the WSPA members indicated that Wyoming school psychologists are generally satisfied with their jobs.  Only 4.2% of the respondents indicated that they were dissatisfied with their jobs but almost 30% said that their current school psychologist role did not align with their professional skills and only 58% felt like they were a valued school district employee.

School psychologists are highly trained in a wide range of essential school related service provider areas but are often under-utilized or they prefer to specialize in a limited domain area such as special education evaluations.  Many times, administrators or school boards are not aware of the diverse skills and interests of a school psychologist but would be willing to accommodate their interests if they were aware of them.

As far as preferred duties, the survey found that school psychologists were most interested in completing special education evaluations, consulting staff on SPED law, and performing SPED leadership duties within their district’s SPED department.  Many school psychologists enjoy working within the MTSS general education progress monitoring system and working with students on mental health issues.  Their least preferred duties included classroom intervention design and IEP academic counseling.  Most school psychologists would be happier if they were not required to attend general education staff meetings.

The school psychologist’s willingness to provide mental health counseling services was split between being not interested in performing the counseling services and being ready, willing, and able but not having the time within their current work schedule to take on additional counseling duties.  The lack of time was the biggest factor preventing school psychologists from expanding their role into other school psychologist domain areas.

School psychologists working in Wyoming often have options on where they work, there is a nationwide school psychologist shortage, and they have a high level of skills that are in high demand within the state and across the country.  The number one factor in a school psychologist’s decision to leave their current job was a negative work environment with a lack of job duty clarity, their pay and benefits was also a significant factor in their decision to leave.  Salaries and job duties are more strongly linked to job satisfaction than their co-worker relationships or their own job performance.  A school psychologist’s duties and pay scales vary greatly across the state.

This data could be used by school psychologists to advocate school administrators to create their dream job.  By opening honest communication between school psychologists and the school district administrators and school boards, the groups could work together to improve the school psychologist’s work experience and job satisfaction. Matching a school psychologist’s interests, and professional skills, along with facilitating a feeling of being a valued co-worker are areas to strive to improve with a goal to service students and school districts effectively.

Scott McGuire, WCSD #1 School Psychologist – EdS. – NCSP, WSPA President