Video recordings and slides from the 2019 ASHA Schools Virtual Town Hall, the second installment in the town hall series, are now available.
The event featured a moderator and panel to address the need to expand the school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP) workforce. Panelists presented innovative strategies and solutions to attract, prepare, and retain school-based SLPs. View presentation slides and video from the event.
Please join the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for the 2019 ASHA Schools Virtual Town Hall, “Attract, Prepare, and Retain School-Based SLPs,” on Monday, December 9, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., EST. This free livestream event will feature a moderator and panel to address the need to expand the school-based SLP workforce.
Town Hall participants will learn from school-based SLPs, school district decision makers, and state education departments about strategies to attract, prepare, and retain school-based SLPs. Attendees will be able to ask questions and comment during the event. Register today.
James D. Wolf, Jr.
Originally posted by the Monticello Herald Journal, June 26, 2019
Speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and even school psychologists are scarce, and they tend to go to clinics and hospitals, which pay more.
Read the full article.
Kyle Epps
Originally posted by Leader Live, February 13, 2019
A new Los Angeles Unified School District contract includes improvements such as workspace for itinerant employees, a caseload/workload taskforce, revised language on caseload limits, and a commitment from the union and the school district to work together to increase funding for special education services and staff.
Read the full article.
Alan Cohen, Dallas Innovates
Originally posted by Dallas Innovates, December 3, 2015
“In an urban school district like Dallas ISD, many factors can result in even our youngest students exhibiting major communication and language disorders such as voice impairments, stuttering, or articulation issues that, untreated, can severely stunt a student’s learning. For decades, it has been recognized that the learning difficulties these students face can often be overcome by utilizing specialized instruction delivered by clinically trained speech language pathologists (SLPs) during the students’ most formative learning years. But over the years, it has become more and more difficult to recruit SLPs to work in urban school districts, creating a major talent shortage, which must be addressed if we want our kids to get the support they need to thrive.”
Read the full story.
By Laura McKenna, The Atlantic
Originally posted by The Atlantic, September 10, 2015
“Solutions to the teacher-shortage problem must take into account its complexities; across-the-board initiatives to increase the number of education majors are unlikely to address each state’s specific set of issues. Teacher-training programs could do a better job of providing students with concrete information about the employment realities—which subject areas need teachers and which ones don’t. Given that 14 percent of 20-somethings are unemployed, that information is certainly valuable. And greater certification portability would reduce barriers to relocation, while streamlined recertification options could help teachers who struggled to find work or were laid off during the recession return to the profession.”
Read the full story.
By Kate McPherson
Originally posted by KTVA Alaska on December 2, 2014.
Options to attract and retain special education teachers to fill the shortage in the Anchorage School District is discussed.
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By Kelly Vaillancourt, Libby Nealis, and Neil A. Snyder – Co-Chairs of the National Alliance of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel
Originally posted by Education Week on October 3, 2014.
A letter to the editor in response to “The Hidden Half: School Employees Who Don’t Teach,” by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
“This report implies that the increase in “nonteaching” staff constitutes a potential luxury our schools can do without. Particularly troublesome is the statement that these professionals do not contribute to the academic achievement of students. This is simply not true.”
By Jessica Bies
Originally posted by Disability Scoop on September 2, 2014.
“A shortage of school psychologists and other highly trained specialists is making state and local school districts reconsider how they fill their special education departments — and in some cases has driven administrators to new extremes when it comes to hiring staff.”