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Headlines | Featured Question | Shop Online | Announcements

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

• 2007 Schools Conference in Review
  ASHA's 2007 Schools Conference, "Honoring Cultures" took place at the David Lawrence Convention Center and Westin Hotel Pittsburgh, PA, July 13-15. A record number of registrants made this the largest Schools Conference to date. Session reports will be available online August 17. The 2008 Conference is scheduled for July 25-27, 2008 at the Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort in Orlando, FL. For more information, contact schools@asha.org.
• U.S. Department of Education Releases Proposed Rules on IDEA Part C
  The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education, has released an unofficial copy of the long-awaited proposed regulations on Part C (infants and toddlers program, 0-2 years) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (commonly known as IDEA 2004). Read ASHA's preliminary analysis [PDF].
• IDEA Part C Technical Assistance: State Approaches [PDF]
  This In-Brief Policy Analysis, completed in collaboration with The Center to Guide Personnel Preparation, Policy and Practice in Early Intervention and Preschool Education, describes how state Part C technical assistance systems are implemented. Delivery models, providers, recipients of services, funding, and many other topics are discussed. A set of appendices listing which states reported the specific implementation characteristic is provided.
• IDEA '04 Issue Briefs Now Available
• Children with Disabilities Enrolled By Their Parents in Private Schools [PDF]
• Cochlear Implants [PDF]
• Continuum of Service Delivery Options [PDF]
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students [PDF]
• Early Intervening Services [PDF]
• Identification of Specific Learning Disabilities [PDF]
• Individualized Education Programs and Eligibility for Services [PDF]
• Interpreting Services for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing [PDF]
• Medicaid and Other Third Party Reimbursement [PDF]
• Missed Sessions [PDF]
• Personnel Qualifications [PDF]
• IDEA Determination Letters
  The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently issued determination letters regarding states' implementation of IDEA. Each state was evaluated on key indicators under Part B (ages 3 through 21) and Part C (infants through age 2) and placed into one of four categories: meets requirements, needs assistance, needs intervention, and needs substantial intervention. Most states fell into the two middle categories. Nine states earned the highest rating for Part B, and 14 states earned the top rating for Part C. No states were in the lowest category on either part. For states in the lower categories, the IDEA identifies technical assistance or actions the agency must take under specific circumstances. The Department will work with states that need assistance or intervention using its network of technical assistance centers.

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Featured Question

Q: How do I begin to advocate for a salary supplement in my local school or district? What resources does ASHA have to assist SLPs in this effort?

A: Here are some guidelines for successful advocacy:

• Decide what you want and talk it over with colleagues.
• Choose a leader and recruit other group members.
• Research the issue.
• Prepare and present your case.
• Be ready to support your case with facts.
• Develop talking points for oral presentation to decision-makers.
• Be ready to answer tough questions, especially about budget.
• Develop a calendar of activities including deadlines and persons.
• Be persistent. You can do it!

ASHA has additional resources and success stories regarding salary supplements. For more information, contact Eileen Crowe at ecrowe@asha.org.

• Advocacy in Action: A State Model for Change (Member benefit)
• Advocating for Higher Salaries
• Local District Supplements [PDF]
• Legislative Success Chart [PDF]
• State Guidebook for the Salary Supplement Initiative (Free to ASHA members. Contact amazmany@asha.org)

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Shop ASHA Online

Shop ASHA Online for new IDEA resources!

• Ethics and IDEA
• Piecing Together the Puzzle of Federal, State and Local Requirements
• Conducting Educationally Relevant Evaluations
• Developing Educationally Relevant IEPs

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Announcements

• Misunderstood Minds
  For one in five students, learning is an exhausting and frustrating struggle. Often mistakenly called "lazy" or "stupid" by their teachers, classmates, and even their families, these children may be suffering from debilitating learning problems. If not addressed, the problems can have a devastating impact on the students' self-esteem and future academic and social success.
  The PBS documentary "Misunderstood Minds" shines a spotlight on this painful subject, following the stories of five families as, together with experts, they try to solve the mysteries of their children's learning difficulties. Produced and directed by renowned Frontline filmmaker Michael Kirk, this 90-minute special shows the children's problems in a new light, and serves as a platform to open a nationwide dialogue on how best to manage young, vulnerable, and misunderstood minds. Visit the PBS Web site.
• Perspectives is going GREEN to save some GREEN in 2008!
  In 2008, the special interest division member publications, Perspectives, will be published online only. The divisions are going to this new format to:
• Save some GREEN. The increased size and frequency of publications makes printing more costly. Publishing online will free up resources that can be allocated to other division programs and member benefits.
• To be green. Online publishing is a positive step environmentally.
• Respond to affiliates' interests in accessing content online.
• Provide new benefits (e.g., archived issues).
• ASHA Professional Development
  ASHA offers a variety of options for professional development, including e-learning and telephone seminars and replays. See the new Professional Development PodCasts! For more information, contact ashaprofdev@asha.org.
• Get Discovered! Sign Up For ProSearch-ASHA's Free Referral Service
  ProSearch, ASHA's online directory of audiology and speech-language pathology programs, helps consumers find quality services from more than 10,100 programs that employ ASHA-certified SLPs and audiologists.

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Address comments and suggestions for future topics, information or resources to Janet Deppe or Lisa Rai Mabry-Price at AccessSchools@asha.org.

Next issue of Access Schools coming September 2007!

ASHA Take Action | SLPs in Schools (a Member Benefit) | ASHA Online Journals | DIV 1 - Language Learning & Education | DIV 16 - School-Based Issues