Throughout the years, DSHA has had a strong voice in advocating for school-based speech-language pathologists; notably advocating for the 6% Salary Stipend which went into effect in July 2004. Currently, members are working to facilitate positive changes for all SLPs working in Delaware schools. After development of the “CAN WE TALK?” document, Delaware SLPs have been working with the Department of Education (DOE), Delaware State Education Association (DSEA), and Delaware state legislators to spread knowledge and understanding of our diverse and evolving roles in Delaware schools.
In 1999, the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) established the State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs). These are state speech-language pathologists appointed to advocate on education issues. ASHA states the mission of the SEALs network is to: “enhance and perpetuate the advocacy, leadership, and clinical management skills of school-based ASHA members at the state and local levels to influence administrative and public policy decisions that affect the delivery of speech-language pathology and audiology services in school settings.”
The SEALS have discussed ways to build bridges with state education departments. Topics have included the ASHA Roles and Responsibilities documents, “Value Added Assessments”, ethics, caseload and workload trends, SPLA’s in the schools, and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Read more about the Every Student Succeeds Act at http://www.asha.org/News/2016/ED-Resources-on-ESSA-Implementation/.
ASHA Roles & Responsibilities of SLP’s in Schools
Roles Responsibilities SLPs Schools Poster
Delaware’s SEAL is Patty Pfeiffer. She participates in ASHA sponsored events and acts as a liaison with DSHA.
