What is the State Education Action Team?
The State Education Action Team, funded under ASHA's 2001-2003 Focused Initiative on School-Based Programs and Services included two ASHA staff members, one from School Services and one from Governmental Relations and Public Policy. This team was formed to assist targeted states to change public policy related to salary supplements, caseload /workload, and effective implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
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Which states were selected for the 2001 - 2003 project?
Five states were chosen for special assistance in 2001-2003 based on previous legislative efforts of the state speech-language-hearing association; support of the state legislature; state teachers' union(s), or state board of education; potential for grassroots support of proposed legislation; political climate in the state for passing legislation or state policy; and the feasibility of the state association's political strategies. West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island were selected for salary supplements for school-based practitioners who hold the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence. Virginia and Kansas were chosen to reduce caseload size based on total workload.
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What kind of assistance did the SEAT provide to targeted states?
The SEAT has supported state advocacy efforts in the following ways:
- Provided on-site technical assistance (e.g., grassroots advocacy training, media training, testimony, and legislative visit support, participation at key meetings).
- Developed a state action plan together with the state association.
- Assisted with implementation of the state action plan.
- Provided information as needed to support state efforts (e.g., talking points, fact sheets, model language, and practice policy materials).
- Arranged for testimony from national leadership, as required.
Additional information on the caseload of salary supplement initiative in the targeted states is available. More information on the Schools Focused Initiative is also available.
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What kind of assistance did the SEAT provide to local districts?
The SEAT supported local district advocacy efforts in the following ways:
- Provided technical assistance on salary supplement, workload, and IDEA implementation issues.
- Provided tips for working with unions and administrators.
- Provided information on ASHA data and resources.
- Assisted with the development of information for meetings and presentations to decision makers.
- Provided follow-up consultation.
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What type of support is available to nontargeted states?
ASHA supports the legislative initiatives of all state speech-language-hearing associations. Eileen Crowe, ASHA's Director of State Association Relations, serves as ASHA's contact regarding any activities underway in the ares identified under the Focused Initiatives. Grants may be available to assist state speech-language-hearing associations in addressing legislative and regulatory issues. For further information, please contact Eileen Crowe at ecrowe@asha.org or at 800-498-2071, ext. 4221. ASHA also has resources to assist state efforts such as:
- Advocacy in Action: A State Model for Change (2004)
- A Guide to Advocating for Increased Salaries and Additional Benefits In Your School District (2004)
- A Workload Analysis Approach for Establishing Speech-Language Caseload Standards in the Schools (2002)
- A Workload Analysis Approach for Establishing Speech-Language Caseload Standards in the Schools: Implementation Guide (2003)
- State Advocacy Guidebook for the Salary Supplement Inititative (Revised 12/01)
- Lighten Your Load: Strategises to Reduce Paperwork for School-Based SLPs (2002)
- Developing Educationally Relevants IEPs: A Technical Assistance Guide for Speech-Language Pathologists (2000)
- The Schools Survey 2004 reports
- The National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS)
- National Data Report K–6 Schools (2000)
- Date Report K-6 Schools (2000)
These resources are available through the ASHA Action Center at 800-498-2071 or on the ASHA Web site. To order a State Advocacy Guidebook for the Salary Supplement Initiative, contact Eileen Crowe at ecrowe@asha.org.
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How can I get involved?
In addition to the support available through ASHA, contact your state association for specific information on your state's efforts. More speech-language pathologists and audiologists in the public schools are getting higher salaries and other compensation for their local school districts. Check out ASHA's new multimedia local advocacy guide to see and hear how they were successful.
Read How to Work for Change in School Settings: FAQs for additional information.
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