Survey of SLP caseloads in Washington State schools: implications and strategies for action.

Purpose: To document statewide and regional caseloads and to examine workload management strategies by surveying speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in Washington State public schools.

Method: All school SLPs who were registered with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction were mailed a detailed survey in May, 2001 and a brief follow-up survey 1 year later.

Results: Response rates were 43% (N=431) and 47% (N=464), respectively.

A Framework for Managing Controversial Practices.

Every day, speech-language pathologists working in schools make difficult, life-impacting decisions regarding which assessment and intervention approaches to use with their clients. These decisions can become even more difficult when the approaches being considered for use are controversial. The risks involved in making choices about controversial practices are likely to have increased significance simply because the approach being considered is not widely accepted.