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Access Schools addresses the specific needs of school-based speech-language pathologists. This bimonthly update, designed to be informative, practical, and easy to use, will inform you of upcoming events and current trends to help you succeed in the schools.
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Headlines
ASHA SLP Practices – Working for You
The ASHA SLP practices update (member benefit) is designed to summarize ASHA's SLP Practices activities over the past two months. Learn more about how ASHA is working for you.
What's Your State's Progress on Highly Qualified Teacher?
The U.S. Department of Education has started posting the most recent (2007-10) Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) and Improving Teacher Quality State Grants (Title II, Part A) monitoring reports online. These reports review the progress of states in meeting No Child Left Behind's HQT requirements (having 100% of students taught by a teacher who holds at least a bachelor's degree, has obtained full state certification, and has demonstrated knowledge in the core academic subject he or she teaches) and using No Child Left Behind's Title II, Part A funds to prepare, retain, and recruit quality teachers and principals so that all children will achieve to their full potential. Read ASHA's Fact Sheet on Highly Qualified Provider [PDF].
NCLB Trumps IDEA
The U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, Chicago, unanimously decided in February that the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) statute enacted into law in 2002 takes precedence over the much older Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) because it is the newer statute. At the heart of the issue was the contention by two Illinois school districts and four families that the IDEA requirement that each special education pupil have an IEP was the antithesis of the NCLB requirement that all special education students be counted as one subgroup. This distinction is important because a school's "adequate yearly progress" is a vital federal accountability measurement that rests in large part on a school group's test results.
School Districts vs. Parents
IDEA requires a "free, appropriate public education" for children with disabilities. Many times, however, parents disagree with the school district's decision about what is appropriate. Such parents can file a complaint with the state and have a due process hearing. However, in California, a federal class action law suit has been filed claiming that the administrative law judges presiding over these hearings are unqualified, inadequately trained, and side with the schools districts too often in disputes over the special education services.
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Featured Question
Q: Are guidelines available from ASHA regarding eligibility and dismissal criteria in the schools? How does "adverse affect on educational performance" impact eligibility decisions?
A: ASHA has developed a product titled Implementing IDEA 2004 Part I: Conducting Educationally Relevant Evaluations, Technical Assistance for Speech-Language Pathologists designed for state and local educational agencies that are developing or revising their own eligibility (admission and discharge) criteria for speech and language services in the schools. Information includes recommended elements to be considered when establishing eligibility and dismissal criteria, as well as sample materials that have been developed for use at the local and state levels. Read an excerpt from this product: Eligibility Decisions and Dismissal vs. Continued Eligibility (member benefit).
ASHA's resource titled Eligibility and Dismissal Criteria Including Adverse Affect (member benefit) includes ASHA policy documents and statements from the U.S. Department of Education regarding adverse affect.
Shop ASHA Online
Get your school supplies from ASHA.
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Announcements
2008 Schools Conference
Registration is now open for the 2008 Schools Conference to be held at the Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort in Orlando, FL, July 25-27, 2008. Take advantage of the Early Bird rate! Hope to see you there!
2008 Schools Survey
You may be one of the 4,000 randomly selected school-based SLPs who received the 2008 Schools Survey! If so, please take a moment to complete and return it. The Schools Survey gathers valuable information about current trends, caseloads, salaries, and working conditions. This data may also serve as an advocacy tool for school-based SLPs. Read the 2006 Schools Survey.
RTI Action Network
The RTI Action Network is a new national initiative dedicated to the responsible and effective implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI) as a means of improving educational outcomes for all students. Designed for frontline educators and families implementing RTI at the local level, the Network offers helpful information and resources combined with networking access to top leaders in the field. Sign up now to become part of the RTI Action Network online community. You'll receive our RTI Action Network E-Newsletter with exclusive features, timely announcements, and notification about the launch of the RTI Action Network Web site in April 2008. For more information about the RTI Action Network, download the RTI Action Network Program Summary [PDF].
New from WETA
WETA has developed a new Web site focusing on adolescent literacy for students in grades 4-12. This Web site offers resources for parents and professionals. Visit WETA's sister websites:
2008 SPARC and AARC Awards
The competitions for the ASHA Awards Students Preparing for Academic & Research Careers (SPARC) and Advancing Academic-Research Careers (AARC) are now open until May 16, 2008. Both awards are components of ASHA's strategic objective to increase its research commitment. The AARC Award supports new faculty in higher education by facilitating their academic and research endeavors in the field of communication sciences and disorders (CSD). The SPARC Award is given to undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing an academic-research career in CSD. Applications for both awards are accepted until May 16, 2008. For more information, please visit the ASHA Web site. For more information on the SPARC Award, please contact Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@asha.org. For questions regarding the AARC Award, please contact Jessica Bowen Nunez at jbowen@asha.org.
2008 Minority Student Leadership Program Call for Applications
The Minority Student Leadership Program is open to students who wish to enhance their leadership skills, interact with leaders in the professions, and learn how their association works. Now in its 10th year, this program has provided more than 275 students from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds with insight into their leadership abilities and a better understanding of how leaders affect change within ASHA, and has empowered these students to take risks and meet their own challenges. All students are eligible to apply; however, preference will be given to students from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds that have been historically under-represented in the Association. Visit MSLP FAQ's for more information and to download an application packet.
Better Hearing and Speech Month Is Coming!
With the tagline "Helping People Communicate," use May Is Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM) to educate your consumers, educators, referral sources, clients, parents, and the media about the services you provide. We have developed nearly 60 promotional products to help you promote the month and yourself, including an all-new screen saver, customizable advertisements, BHSM specialty items, activity books, and so much more!
ProSearch
ASHA's online directory of audiology and speech-language pathology programs helps consumers find quality services from thousands of programs that employ ASHA-certified SLPs and audiologists. Get Discovered! Sign Up for ProSearch—ASHA's Free Referral Service!
Go Green - Hit the Online Renewal Scene!
It's fast, easy, and secure-plus it's better for the planet. No paper, no stamps, no waste. All you need is your Visa or MasterCard and your ASHA ID number to renew using our secure Web site.
Maintaining Certification
Find important information on notifications and compliance documentation for SLPs who are maintaining their CCC's.
ASHA Professional Development
ASHA offers a variety of options for professional development, including e-learning and telephone seminars and replays.
2008 Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Awards
The Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award is given in conjunction with the 18th Annual Research Symposium: Neurobiological Determinants of Human Communication: Prematurity and Early Childhood, to be held November 21, 2008, in Chicago, Illinois. It is designed to foster the professional development of students, clinicians, and emerging scientists who have expressed an interest in research in communication sciences and disorders.
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Address comments and suggestions for future topics, information or resources to Janice Brannon or Lisa Rai Mabry-Price at AccessSchools@asha.org.
Next issue of Access Schools coming May 2008!
ASHA Take Action | SLPs in Schools (a Member Benefit) | ASHA Online Journals | DIV 1 - Language Learning & Education | DIV 16 - School-Based Issues