PSYC 6905 - Principles of Development for School Psychology
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41127,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dana Elmquist
Email: dlelmquist@ysu.edu
Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Child and Adolescent Development for Educators | Christine B. McCormick, Alysia D. Roehrig, David G. Scherer | 9781462558346 |
Additional Required Readings (supplied in Blackboard):
Horowitz, F. D. (2000). Child development and the PITS: Simple questions, complex answers, and developmental theory. Child Development, 71(1), 1-10.
Throughout the semester, students will engage with instructor-approved contemporary research articles selected to extend and deepen understanding of weekly course topics. Student-selected readings serve as supplemental scholarly materials and must receive instructor approval to ensure alignment with course objectives, program standards, and current approaches in school psychology practice.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu | 8/27 | Syllabus | Course Introduction/Concept of Development Assign Research Roundtable Leaders |
Review syllabus |
| Thu | 9/3 | Chapter 1 Horowitz (2000) Siegler (2000) |
Developmental Research Methods | Applied Learning Activity #1 (Due 9/6) Applied Learning Activity #2 (Due 9/6) |
| Thu | 9/10 | Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Research Roundtable Article |
Biological Development | Ch. 2 Research Roundtable (Due 9/10) Integrated Chapter Analysis (Ch. 1 & 2) (Due 9/10 Applied Learning Activity #3 (Due 9/13) |
| Thu | 9/17 | Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Research Roundtable Article |
Cognitive Development: Piaget | Ch. 3 Research Roundtable (Due 9/17) Applied Learning Activity #4 (Due 9/20) Applied Learning Activity #5 (Due 9/20) |
| Thu | 9/24 | Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Research Roundtable Article |
Cognitive Development: Information Processing | Ch. 4 Research Roundtable (Due 9/24) Integrated Chapter Analysis (Ch. 3 & 4) (Due 9/24) Applied Learning Activity #6 (Due 9/27) Applied Learning Activity #7 (Due 9/27) |
| Thu | 10/1 | Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Research Roundtable Article |
Social Theories of Development and Learning | Ch. 5 Research Roundtable (Due 10/1) Applied Learning Activity #8 (Due 10/4) Applied Learning Activity #9 (Due 10/4) |
| Thu | 10/8 | Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Research Roundtable Article |
Sociocultural Theories of Development | Ch. 6 Research Roundtable (Due 10/8) Integrated Chapter Analysis (Ch. 5 & 6) (Due 10/8) Applied Learning Activity #10 (Due 10/11) Applied Learning Activity #11 (Due 10/11) |
| Thu | 10/15 | Midterm Exam | Midterm Exam (Due 10/15) Applied Learning Activity #12 (Due 10/18) |
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| Thu | 10/22 | Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Research Roundtable Article |
Language Development | Ch. 7 Research Roundtable (Due 10/22) Applied Learning Activity #14 (Due 10/25) Applied Learning Activity #13 (Due 10/25) |
| Thu | 10/29 | Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Research Roundtable Article |
Intelligence and Individual Differences | Ch. 8 Research Roundtable (Due 10/29) Applied Learning Activity #15 (Due 11/1) Applied Learning Activity #16 (Due 11/1) |
| Thu | 11/5 | Professional Learning Experience: OSPA Conference or Alternate Assignment | Attend OSPA or Complete the Alternate Assignment (Due 11/5) | |
| Thu | 11/12 | Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Research Roundtable Article |
Motivation | Ch. 9 Research Roundtable (Due 11/12) Integrated Chapter Analysis (Ch. 7-9) (Due 11/12) Applied Learning Activity #17 (Due 11/15) Applied Learning Activity #18 (Due 11/15) |
| Thu | 11/19 | Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 10/11 Research Roundtable Article |
Family, Peer Relationships, and Gender | Ch. 10/11 Research Roundtable (Due 11/19) Integrated Chapter Analysis (Ch. 10 & 11) (Due 11/19) Applied Learning Activity #19 (Due 11/22) Applied Learning Activity #20 (Due 11/22) |
| Thu | 11/26 | University Closed - No Class | ||
| Thu | 12/3 | Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 12 Research Roundtable Article |
Student Mental Health and Exceptionalitities | Ch. 12 Research Roundtable (Due 12/3) Integrated Chapter Analysis (Ch. 12 & 13) (Due 12/3) Final Exam (Due 12/6) |
| Thu | 12/10 | Finals Week | Literature Review Presentations | Literature Review Paper and Presentations (Due 12/10) |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.