Evaluating Teachers, Professors, and School and University Administrators
by Mark D. Lerner, Ph.D.
Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
Chairman, The National Center for Emotional Wellness
Psychological Fitness to Teach or Administrate evaluations are invaluable in hearings and lawsuits. They provide clinical and objective empirical evidence regarding the educator's emotional well-being and functioning. These evaluations are essential in determining whether psychological conditions or impairments might have affected the professional's ability to provide safe and appropriate educational services.
By integrating forensic psychological evaluations, attorneys representing potential plaintiffs or defendants can harness a powerful tool to construct persuasive legal arguments. These evaluations include a clinical interview and objective empirically based psychometric testing with the educator.
A comprehensive Fitness to Teach or Administrate assessment is essential for identifying various conditions that can affect the ability to provide educational services. These conditions may include anxiety, depression, anger, traumatic stress, or substance abuse. Effectively addressing and managing these issues is imperative to upholding high quality and safety standards in education.
Assessments evaluate mental health and psychological fitness and provide proactive treatment or intervention recommendations. This approach is crucial in preventing future legal action. By addressing underlying concerns, educators can enhance their professional services and significantly reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future.
I have extensive experience conducting Fitness to Teach or Administrate evaluations, Fitness to Practice evaluations with Healthcare Providers, and Fitness to Serve for Law Enforcement personnel. Each assessment is meticulously tailored to meet the unique needs of the client, employer, or attorney involved in the case, ensuring their concerns are addressed.