Show Parent Awareness Increases Retiring head of the psychology ogy department in the Ule Davis School DistrIct Arthur LewIs reports that during the school year 65 1964 sixth one of all referrals to his office originated ed with the parents of the child involved THE HE MAJORITY of re referrals refer refer- r- r rats rals are made by teachers as asis asis is to be expected Mr tr Lewis said Others are made in some cases by juvenile courts and by doctors Parent awareness is increasing wIth resultant benefit benefit bene- bene fit to the child Under the present program when a referral is made the psychology depart m men e n t requests requests re- re quests the parents parents' permissIon to test the child AFTER THE test is given there is an interview with the parents an and a report Is made to the teacher along with suggestions suggestions sug- sug on how to aid the child Then a written report is made to the principal and if necessary necessary sary a social worker is assigned assigned as- as signed to the case ALL SCHOOL districts in all of the states rec recognize the need for a psychology department but due to finances not all school boards maintain one The Salt Lake School DIstrict was the first in Utah to establish lish such a department Service has been available since the late thirties early forties IN DAVIS County Supt Samuel Samuel Sam Sam- uel Morgan established a psychology psychology department in 56 1955 with Mr Lewis heading it The staff has grown from one full time psychologist to two full time and two part time Mr Lewis believes that with a staff of six to eight full time psychologists the pupil personnel in Davis School District District Dis- Dis could be properly served THE NEED FOR psychological I cal help for some students is not new It existed long before anything was done to alleviate I it In the days when compulsory school attendance was not in inI I effect such children automatically automatically automat automat- left school I HavIng the services of apsy- apsy a beneficial benefi- benefi I department is cial to the potential school dropout dropout drop drop- t I out today In some cases as a direct result of professional I aid potential dropouts have remained remained re- re in school to their own advantage lk Ik I |