South Bend’s school board last week considered contracting with a firm that would connect special education students with psychologists via video chat.
Ultimately, the board was skeptical of the move. But it exhibits the impact of the national shortage of school psychologists on some districts, including South Bend.
The National Association of School Psychologists estimates that there is one school psychologist for every 1,400 students, research shows. That is well over the recommended ratio of one to 700, or one to 500 for needier populations.
