VASP - About

All Virginia's students thrive in school and in life

Mission

VASP exists to strengthen the effectiveness of school psychologists in promoting and advocating for the educational and mental health development of Virginia's students and families. VASP members are dedicated to promoting the highest standards of service delivery and positive outcomes for the students, families, and schools we serve.

Mixed raced school girl looking behind her at school, holding a backpack.

Our Values

Integrity

VASP is committed to high standards, ethical principles, social justice, honesty, equity, and treating others with dignity and respect.

Continuous
Improvement

VASP promotes the highest standards for service delivery, including evidence-based practices, and evaluates organizational effectiveness to ensure relevancy to members.

Student Centered

VASP prioritizes the needs of children, youth, and families in all activities.

Advocacy

VASP achieves positive outcomes for students by promoting the unique services provided by school psychologists.

Collaborative Relationships

VASP partners with allied organizations, agencies, and others to develop and achieve shared goals.

Diversity

VASP respects individual, cultural, and other contextual differences in our own interactions and how they impact students. VASP acknowledges the impact of race, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in our interactions with students, families and the school community.

Visionary Leadership

VASP leads with enthusiasm and confidence, while working pragmatically in the present and striving toward an optimistic future.

VASP is Addressing State Challenges

Virginia is not alone in facing a critical shortage of school psychologists. According to 2023–24 position and exit data from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), the state employed 1,082 full-time school psychologists, with 127 positions left vacant. Among mental health and special education roles in Virginia’s schools, school psychologists remain one of the most difficult positions to fill.

VASP’s advocacy efforts continue to focus on addressing these shortages, including promoting stipends for school psychologists who hold the NCSP credential and supporting Virginia’s participation in the Interstate Compact. VASP also provides high-quality professional development and multiple opportunities for school psychologists across the state to connect and collaborate.

Although NASP data from 2023–24 shows improvement—with a current student-to–school psychologist ratio of 1:1,164—VASP remains committed to advancing the recommended ratio of 1:500 to better meet student needs.

The Importance of School Psychologists image

The Importance of School Psychologists

School psychology is a specialized field that requires advanced graduate-level training (minimum of 60 graduate credits and a master’s degree). School psychologists develop deep expertise in child development, systems theory, counseling, assessment, and the legal and ethical responsibilities involved in supporting students, families, and schools.

Because the role varies widely depending on the setting and populations served, school psychology offers a dynamic and continually evolving career path. School psychologists bridge research and practice, creating diverse opportunities for professional growth throughout their careers.

Although the work can be demanding, school psychology is a field in high demand, offering competitive compensation, strong benefits, and—most importantly—meaningful, rewarding experiences that make a lasting impact.