The late Merrell (school psychology, U. of Oregon) et al. introduce undergraduate and graduate students, psychologists looking to change careers, and practicing school psychologists, trainers, administrators, and researchers to the school psychologist's role in promoting positive academic, behavioral, and emotional outcomes for all students. They argue that their practices should be outcome-focused and data-driven, include cultural competence, and play a key role in solving problems in education. They overview the history of the field and its place in psychology and US education; the foundation of effective practices in a diverse cultural context; professional practice issues like training and credentialing, employment trends, and legal and ethical aspects; and best practices, including a problem-solving, data-driven approach, assessment, prevention and intervention, facilitating systems-level change through a public health perspective on services, and research and evaluation. This edition incorporates current research findings and information on training programs, demographic trends, and professional standards; current trends, tools, and programs for assessment and intervention; analysis of changes that have occurred in the US and Canada that impact education, children, and their families; and expanded coverage of response-to-intervention, cultural and linguistic diversity issues, evidence-based practice in mental health, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act and other recent federal mandates. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)