Shawna Petersen-Brown

Profile

Dr. Petersen-Brown joined the School Psychology Doctoral Program in 2014. Dr. Petersen-Brown received her Ph.D. in school psychology from University of Minnesota in 2013 and worked as a school psychologist at the elementary and secondary levels in the Twin Cities. Within the school psychology program, Dr. Petersen-Brown currently teaches Foundations of Academic Assessment, Academic Problem Solving and Child Mental Health: Assessment to Intervention, as well as supervising various practica and field experiences.

Dr. Petersen-Brown’s research team focuses on the implementation, selection and design of academic interventions for students at risk for or exhibiting academic difficulties. She has published research in several major journals in school psychology and special education, including School Psychology Quarterly, Journal of Learning Disabilities, and Journal of Behavioral Education. Dr. Petersen-Brown serves on the editorial board of School Psychology Forum.

Published Research

Education

• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 2013 (APA-Accredited, NASP-Approved)

Areas of Interest

• Use of assessment to inform the selection and design of academic intervention.
• Implementation variables that impact the effectiveness of academic intervention
• Interventions that support the development of reading skills

Courses Taught

• Psyc304 Introduction to School Psychology
• Psyc433 Child Psychology
• Psyc436 Adolescent Psychology
• Psyc490 Workshop on School Violence
• Psyc705 Principles of Academic Assessment
• Psyc720 Academic Problem Solving
• Psyc770 Child Mental Health: Assessment to Intervention

Selected Publications/Presentations

• Petersen-Brown, S., Kromminga, K. R., Fischer, E.*, & Kinsey Hawley, E.* (2026). A review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of incremental rehearsal. School Psychology, 41(2), 233-245. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000702
• Ray, J. E.*, Panahon, C. J., Hilt-Panahon, A., Petersen-Brown, S., & Filter, K. J. (2025). Evaluating the effects of tootling when implemented in special education classrooms. Journal of Behavioral Education, 34(3), 673-693. DOI: 10.1007/s10864-024-09544-w
• Petersen-Brown, S., Kromminga, K. R. (2024). Systematic review and meta-analysis of the implementation and effectiveness of spelling instruction and intervention. Psychology in the Schools, 61(8), 3315-3338.
• Petersen-Brown, S., Kinsey Hawley, E.*, Fischer, E.*, & Schneider, M. M.* (2024). A review and meta-analysis of literacy interventions implemented by parents at home. Preventing School Failure, 68(2), 92-102.
• Petersen-Brown, S., Riese, A. M.*, Schneider, M. M.*, Ray, J. E., & Clonkey, H. R.* (2023). Applying distributed practice in the schools to enhance retention of spelling words. Psychology in the Schools, 60(9), 3486-3503.