Diversity Self-Study: Instrument Development and Utilization for Program Recommendations

Abstract

Many school psychologists enter the field unprepared to provide services to culturally diverse populations, but adequate training can prevent this outcome. This article introduces the development and utilization of the School Psychology Graduate Organization Diversity Self-Study (DSS). It is a survey designed to address graduate students’ diversity training and includes scales for diversity standards outlined by regionally accredited universities/colleges, the American Psychological Association, and the National Association of School Psychologists. The DSS was administered to 39 students attending a South-Central United States school psychology graduate program in the fall and 30 students in the same program in the spring. The outcome data and its interpretation are provided to demonstrate its use in developing diversity training recommendations.