Scheduling
Providing services at the same time/days each week, but possibly varying the amount of time, location, and service delivery approach
Traditional Weekly Schedule
"Backpack" times of day
To minimize interruption of instructional time, use the first and last 30 mins of the school day when students are typically emptying/packing their bags
What is the current workload problem?
Examples:
SLP has too many students and is having trouble meeting their individual needs
The SLP is lacking time for planning, meetings, etc.
The SLP provides services in an intense schedule of increased frequency, and eventually reduces direct services while increasing indirect services
Receding Schedule
Before or after school
Rather than supervising breakfast duty, dismissal duty, etc., the SLP can utilize time during extended programs to offer Tier II and Tier III intervention
What can be done to address the workload issues and provide appropriate services to students?
Workload approach: focusing on the total work activities rather than the total number of students
SLP provides direct services for a period of time, followed by no/indirect services for a period of time. Phase 1 fosters learning of the new skill, Phase 2 monitors stabilization of skills
Cyclical Schedule
A hybrid of backpack and before/after school slots
(if allowed by state rules to work outside of school day hours)
Ex: a student could come 15 minutes prior to dismissal and then stay 15 minutes late, totaling 30 minutes of intervention
Who can help resolve the SLP workload issues, and what advocacy strategies will have the best chance of influencing positive changes?
Teachers' unions, local and state agencies
Become familiar with local teacher contract on class size, caseload, and teacher duties
Establish a committee of district-wide SLP and audiology personnel
Longer, less frequent sessions, typically following the school's master schedule
Block Schedule
During the school day
If the school's master schedule has time built in, students may regularly participate in interventions as decided by the master schedule
What is a reasonable action plan to address the workload issues?
Document the services and activities required for full implementation of IDEA that cannot be completed due to current workload conditions
Create an action plan