Performance Assessment of Contributions and Effectiveness (PACE) Talking Points

ASHA has worked with a number of states and local districts to adopt, adapt, or pilot the Performance Assessment of Contributions and Effectiveness of Speech-Language Pathologists (PACE) evaluation system for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work in the school systems. Many states and districts continue to evaluate SLPs using teacher evaluation systems that do not effectively measure the SLP’s contribution to student academic success and support for the school community.

What can practitioners do to ensure that the PACE is considered and utilized in their state/school district to appropriate evaluate SLPs?

At the state level, you can work with ASHA and your state association to introduce legislation and/or regulations to adopt PACE for local school districts.

Explain how the PACE is designed specifically to evaluate the effectiveness of SLPs by helping students achieve success
Share how the PACE helps them explain and demonstrate their role in the school and in the larger school community
Respond to requests from ASHA and your state association to send letters to your legislators and/or regulators on this issue
Attend hearings and provide testimony on how the issue affects you personally
Leave your business card and the ASHA issue brief on PACE when attending meetings.

A great way to get started at the local district level would be to review the PACE resources and share the information, including the evaluator guide, with your administration.

Share how the PACE helps you explain and demonstrate your role in the school and in the larger school community. (See Roles and Responsibilities of Speech-Language Pathologists in Schools)
Offer to serve on committees and/or task forces to determine the best way to evaluate school personnel, including SLPs.
Offer to pilot PACE for one year in addition to the teacher evaluation system in order to compare and then determine which method is more appropriate.
Work with your administrators to develop a timeline for implementing the PACE. Be sure to identify what materials need to be included in the portfolio to demonstrate competence.