ABSTRACT
The field of school psychology is rooted in theoretical foundations that drive research and practice. Dating back to Pythagoras, Plato, and Aristotle, theories explain relationships between variables and are particularly useful in understanding a change process, such as an intervention’s impact on proximal and distal variables. In this introductory chapter, we describe historical, theoretical, and conceptual influences on the field of school psychology. We specifically address theoretical foundations of school psychology and their role in advancing the science and practice of school psychology. We emphasize how school psychologists can use theory to improve research, practice, and research-practice integration. The chapter concludes with a review of major theories in the field of school psychology to orient readers towards book chapters, which address the major theories and describe approaches school psychologists can use to improve outcomes for children and families through greater integration of theory.
