PSU School of Education Assessment Clinic - About Us

ABOUT US

Spring 2026 marked the successful launch of the PSU Assessment Clinic, a collaborative initiative developed through partnership between Plymouth State University’s Graduate Special Education and School Psychology programs. What began as an informal conversation during New Faculty Orientation has, over the past two years, evolved into a highly successful interdisciplinary training experience designed to strengthen graduate preparation in educational assessment.

The clinic was co-developed and is co-taught by Drs. Kasey Murphy and Sara Scribner as a hybrid graduate course emphasizing applied team-based assessment practice. Throughout the semester, graduate students work collaboratively in interdisciplinary evaluation teams, gaining hands-on experience conducting comprehensive educational assessments while integrating perspectives from both school psychology and special education. Preparation for the clinic begins with two in-person Saturday training sessions focused on assessment readiness, ethical practice, family engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Following these preparatory meetings, student teams develop individualized assessment plans tailored to referral concerns and guided by evidence-based assessment practices. Students then conduct two direct assessment sessions with participating children and collaborate on comprehensive reports that synthesize assessment findings with practical, evidence-based recommendations for families and schools.

Clinic models of this nature are commonly associated with larger R1 research institutions and remain relatively uncommon within state-funded teaching universities. The successful implementation of the School of Education's Assessment Clinic therefore represents a meaningful advancement in graduate training at Plymouth State University. 

In addition to providing rigorous applied learning opportunities for graduate students, the clinic also addresses an important community need by increasing access to independent educational evaluations. The inaugural year generated strong enthusiasm among faculty, students, and participating families alike. Given the positive outcomes of this first implementation, there is considerable interest in expanding the clinic and establishing it as a sustained and evolving component of PSU’s graduate training programs.