The development of school psychological services in Taiwan

Psychoeducational Services for Children and Youth in the Orient: Current Status, Problems, and Some Remedies*

“…Attempts were made to locate all existing literature describing the practices of psychology in schools from all Asian nations. References were obtained on China (Chinese Psychological Society 1983;Ching 1980;Domino et al 1987;Hsu et al 1980;Lavoie, in press;Liu 1982;Petzold 1986;Zhaolan, n.d.;Zhixian 1979), Hong Kong (Ho 1985(Ho , 1986Hu et al 1988;Lieh-Mak et al 1984), Japan (Davis 1979;Hoshino 1980;Sechrest 1964;Shinagawa et al in press), the Philippines (Catterall 1982;Lagmay 1984;Lazo 1977;Punsulan 1988), Taiwan (Barclay and Wu 1986;Kuo 1976;Miao 1981), and Thailand (Ayawongse and Pungah 1984;Boonruangrutana 1987;Suvannathat 1979). Recognizing the need for additional and more current data, a questionnaire was designed and sent to psychologists in most Oriental countries.…”

Understanding the development of school psychology services in the Republic of Taiwan

“…In 1968, the government in Taiwan implemented a nine-year free compulsory educational school system (Yang, 2001). This meant that all students now had to attend school for nine years, and at the same time counselling and psychological services were provided to all schools (Barclay & Wu, 1986). Wise & Fagan (2000) has argued that the enforcement of compulsory schooling can be considered as the foundation for the emerging of quality school psychological services.…”

“…The importance of improving school psychological services also started to be recognized by the Kuomintang government, and also by the public, after a series of substantial social changes caused by economic and military threats. Accordingly, the government encouraged students to study abroad in developed countries, especially the United States (Barclay & Wu, 1986). School psychology in Taiwan has been substantially influenced by European and American (Western) systems.…”

“…Since the requirement for nine years of free public education, the National Taiwan Normal University as well as other institutions began to focus on offering applied psychological service classes to school specialists in the late 1960s (Wu, 1993). By the year 1983, counselling was included in most stages of the school experience from primary education to college (Barclay & Wu, 1986). Moreover, Taiwan began to develop the position of teacher-counsellor in the education system, and this covered counselling role, including both student and career issues, covering many of the needs within education.…”

“…Evidence has shown that Taiwan has well-established formal training programs in professional counselling, as well as curricula for training undergraduate and graduate students in order to provide adequate school mental health services (Barclay & Wu, 1986; Wu, 1993). Given this situation in Taiwan, where school psychological services overlap with counselling and guidance services, the scope of school psychological services covers more than the traditional functions of school psychologists (Ding et al., 2008).…”