School psychology in Greece - A system of change

This article reviews the origin and growth of school psychology in Greece, including the socio-cultural barriers inhibiting its development and events facilitating its progress in the twentieth century and into the new millennium. The need for school psychologists has been fueled by the increasing demand to provide support to children with special educational, social and emotional needs for which teachers have traditionally viewed themselves solely responsible. With these growing demands came the introduction of laws that have broadened the role and emphasized the importance of educational services and have profoundly influenced the development of special education. One such law has called for the mainstreaming of students with special needs. Also discussed in this article are the current diversified role of school psychologists, the present status of special education and the services rendered to children with mental retardation, learning disabilities and serious emotional disturbance. Finally, the influence of American school psychology on the development of Greek school psychology is discussed relative to possible outcomes.