Biographies

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BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Dawn P. Flanagan is professor of Psychology and Director of the School Psychology training Dr. Flanagan programs at St. John's University in Queens, NY. She is also Clinical Assistant Professor at Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine. In addition to her teaching responsibilities in the areas of intellectual assessment, psychoeducational assessment, learning disability, and professional issues in school psychology, she serves as an expert witness, learning disability consultant, and psychoeducational test/measurement consultant and trainer for organizations both nationally and internationally. She is a widely published author of books, book chapters, and articles. Her most recent books include the Essentials of WISC-IV Assessment and the second editions of Contemporary Intellectual Assessment: Theories, Tests, and Issues; The Achievement Test Desk Reference: A Guide to Learning Disability Identification; and Essentials of Cross-Battery Assessment. Dr. Flanagan is a Fellow of both APA and the American Board of Psychological Specialties. She is a past recipient of APA’s Lightner Witmer Award - in recognition of her early contributions to the field of School Psychology. Dr. Flanagan also received an “Outstanding Faculty Achievement Award” from her university in recognition of her dedication to teaching, mentoring students, publishing, and conducting research. Dr. Flanagan is perhaps best known for the development of the CHC Cross-Battery Approach and the development of an operational definition of specific learning disability. Dr. Flanagan’s most recent contribution to the field is a 6-hour multi-media professional development course entitled, Agora: The Marketplace of Ideas. Best Practices: Applying Response to Intervention (RTI) and Comprehensive Assessment for the Identification of Specific Learning Disabilities. [DVD].

Dr. Samuel O. Ortiz is Associate Professor of Psychology and Coordinator of the Bilingual School Psychology Track at Dr. Ortiz St. John's University, New York. He holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Southern California and a credential in school psychology with postdoctoral training in bilingual school psychology from San Diego State University. Previously he has served as Visiting Professor and Research Fellow at Nagoya University, Japan, as Vice President for Professional Affairs of APA Division 16 (School Psychology), and recently completed service on APA's Committee on Psychological Tests and Assessment and the Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education. Dr. Ortiz trains and consults nationally and internationally, conducts research in the schools, and publishes in a variety of topic areas including nondiscriminatory assessment, instructional methodology for English language learners, cross-battery assessment, and learning disabilities. He combines practical and research based experience with specialized education and training in working with culturally and linguistically diverse children and parents. He has published on topics that include assessment of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, application of modern intelligence theory in testing through CHC Cross-Battery assessment (XBA) methods, and differentiating cultural and linguistic differences from disorders. His recent books include “Assessment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students: A practical guide,” and “Essentials of Cross-Battery Assessment.” Dr. Ortiz is bilingual (Spanish) and bicultural (Puerto Rican).

Dr. Vincent C. Alfonso is Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Graduate School of Education at Dr. Alfonso Fordham University in New York City. His research interests include psychoeducational assessment, early childhood psychology, training in school psychology, and psychometrics. Dr. Alfonso has published his work in a variety of journals including School Psychology Review, The Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, and Psychology in the Schools. Most recently he co-authored Essentials of Cross-Battery Assessment, Second Edition with Dawn P. Flanagan, and Samuel O. Ortiz published by Wiley. Dr. Alfonso is a certified school psychologist and licensed psychologist in New York State. He is considered an expert in early childhood and learning disability assessment.