UC Riverside doctoral student Anacary Ramirez has been awarded a grant from the Society for the Study of School Psychology for her dissertation on the use of teleconferencing technology with Spanish-speaking parents.

Ramirez, who is pursuing a doctorate in school psychology at the Graduate School of Education, received a $4,125 grant from the group.

The Society of School Psychology Dissertation Grant Awards are aimed at promoting “excellence in research training in school psychology, thereby enhancing the capability of students to pursue a productive research career that advances the science of school psychology,” according to the group.

Ramirez said the grant will allow her to provide participating parents, students, teachers, and study assistants with a small stipend. She also plans to buy tablets and tablet stands for the parents that they can keep after the study.

Her dissertation evaluates the efficacy of teleconferencing technology in providing behavioral consultation services.

“One potential goal with this dissertation, in a broad sense, is to provide these parents with skills that can help them manage similar challenging child behaviors in the future,” she said. 

Ramirez faced a few challenges in creating her dissertation including a change of advisors. Initially, her dissertation was to focus on in-personal consultations with teachers and parents, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, she transitioned to teleconsultation, requiring her to update her manuscript in a shorter time.