Date of Award
1991
Document Type
Practicum-NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Early and Middle Childhood
Advisor
Mary Ellen Sapp
Committee Member
Jack Mills
Keywords
alternative service delivery strategies, collaboration, consultation, employment shortages, job sharing, multilevel, paraprofessionals, speech-language services
Abstract
This practicum addressed the need to expand and to change the speech-language pathology service delivery system within the county due to the severe shortages of speech-language pathologists and numbers of students going unserved. A review of the literature reveals that shortages are common nationwide and that schools must look for strategies other than short-term recruitment efforts to deal with the problem.
The writer planned training sessions on six alternative service delivery strategies. Training was provided for the lead speech pathologist and special education directors from the 24 school districts in the county. The six strategies were: job-sharing, multilevel service, use of paraprofessionals, consultation, technology, and collaboration. Participants were asked to make a commitment to use at least two of the strategies in their school districts.
Results were positive. Speech pathologists and special education directors felt better informed about the use of alternative strategies for expanding speech pathology services, and everyone who was trained made a commitment to use the strategies. At the end of the practicum implementation, participants reported increased use of alternative strategies and more students being served. However, due to population growth, the percentage of students being served remained stable.