NASP 2009 Annual Convention

40 Years of Excellence in School Psychology

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of NASP and the 20th Anniversary of the NCSP

NASP was founded on March 15, 1969, at a two-day planning conference in St. Louis, which was really the birth of the NASP convention. In the four decades since, school psychology and the association have grown to become a respected and relevant leadership force in the effort to prepare ALL children for high academic achievement, healthy development, and responsible citizenship. Our active membership and dedicated leadership have helped advance service to children, families, and schools through public education, advocacy for effective policies, and the establishment of rigorous professional standards that guide the training, credentialing, practice, and ethical conduct of school psychologists. Contributing to this success has been the National School Psychology Certification (NCSP) System, established 20 years ago. In that time, the NCSP has helped elevate national standards and credentialing to align with those of other education and mental health organizations and created greater continuity in practice and credentialing across states. We will be celebrating these accomplishments at the 2009 convention in Boston—a perfect setting to celebrate history—and looking at how they point to school psychology’s successful future. Also, look for more fun facts and historical high points in Communiqué and online at www.nasponline.org/history/index.aspx over the coming year.