METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES RESEARCH

Critically analyzing the school-based services literature yields consi derable information about service need and use, the predominant types of school-based mental health services, and the strengths and weakness es of implementing Public Law 94-142. The next stage of school-based s ervices research can contribute significantly to improving the service system by investigating (a) the impact of primary-preventive and targ eted preventive interventions on service need and use of more intensiv e and costly services, (b) factors associated with early identificatio n of mental health problems, (c) investigating the effectiveness of ea rly intervention and treatment services, and (d) the effectiveness of special education system reforms that identify and serve special educa tion children with mental health problems. Methodological strategies f or building the next stage of school-based services research are discu ssed.