Guidelines for Authors

Submission and Publication Guidelines

All manuscripts must conform to the style and requirements of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2010, 6th ed.). The Manual can be obtained from the American Psychological Association, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Authors should use APA publication guidelines to reduce bias in writing.

A copy of the manuscript should be submitted to the editor as an e-mail attachment. All manuscripts must be double-spaced, accompanied by a 100-150 word abstract. Quotes of 500 words or reproductions of figures and tables must be accompanied by a letter of permission from the copyright holder (usually the publisher and sometimes the original author).

All manuscripts should be sent as a Word or RichText document with the following file name format (1stauthorlastname_1stauthorfirstname_ms.docx). Figures must be submitted in PDF format and should be sent as separate files, appropriately titled with the lead author’s name and the figure or table number (1stauthorlastname_figure1.pdf).

General Article Guidelines

In keeping with the purpose of SPF, emphasizing useful and high quality information to school-based practitioners, the articles should meet the following:

1. Each manuscript should be less than 25 double-spaced pages, inclusive of references, figures, and tables. Longer articles may be accepted as space permits. Brief reviews of evidence-based practices and practice commentary articles should less than 15 pages (no more than 3750 words).

2. SPF requires two features of each manuscript that differ from most scholarly journals.

First, there must be a heading and section that explicitly describes how the current manuscript can be applied to the practice of school psychology. This can include practice guidelines, cautions for school-based practice, suggestions for policy development, improvement on current best practices, and other approaches to advancing the field of school psychology practice.

Second, there must be information included regarding where readers can find additional resources on the topic. Where applicable and feasible authors will provide resources for readers related to the article that would enhance practice. These could include tips (beyond the reference list) for parents or teachers, guidelines for administrators, worksheets, websites, books, etc.

3. Each article will be subjected to blind peer review by at least two reviewers. The reviewers will consist of members of the SPF Editorial Advisory Board, which is comprised of both university-based trainers and practicing school psychologists. In some cases, ad hoc reviewers may be solicited who have particular expertise in a given area.

4. With each article submitted, the author(s) should include a short description of current affiliation and credentials (e.g., Oscar Smith, PhD, NCSP, is a school psychologist with the ABC School District in Inner City, PA. He specializes in working with children with emotional and behavioral difficulties). This will appear as the endnote following the published article. Additionally, contact information for the lead author should be provided including preferred mailing address, telephone, and email address.

Conditions of Submission

Manuscripts submitted for review and possible inclusion in SPF :

• may not have been submitted for concurrent review to another journal
• may not have been published in total or the findings published in substantial part elsewhere
• must be accompanied by written reprint permissions for any previously published figures, tables, or material of 500 words or more
• assume author responsibility for the accuracy of all statements and findings

1If accepted for publication, the author agrees that the editor has the right to edit the manuscript as necessary for publication (such that content is not substantively changed), and assigns all rights for the publication of the manuscript to SPF and the National Association of School Psychologists.

Submission

Send manuscripts for publications, proposals for special issues, commentaries, and questions to Steven Shaw at SchoolPsychForum@naspweb.org