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ERIC Number: EJ887630
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Apr
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0161-1461
EISSN: N/A
What Makes a Caseload (Un) Manageable? School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists Speak
Katz, Lauren A.; Maag, Abby; Fallon, Karen A.; Blenkarn, Katie; Smith, Megan K.
Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, v41 n2 p139-151 Apr 2010
Purpose: Large caseload sizes and a shortage of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are ongoing concerns in the field of speech and language. This study was conducted to identify current mean caseload size for school-based SLPs, a threshold at which caseload size begins to be perceived as unmanageable, and variables contributing to school-based SLPs' feelings of caseload manageability. Method: Approximately 2,000 public-school-based SLPs from across the country were solicited to participate in an online, Web-based survey between April and May of 2007. Of those SLPs who were contacted, 634 full-time SLPs from 49 states completed the survey. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: The mean caseload size for SLPs in this study was 49 students. At the caseload range of 41-50 students, approximately 60% of the SLPs perceived their caseload size as unmanageable. Logistic regression revealed caseload size, years of experience, and extent of collaboration as significant predictors of an SLP's likelihood of feeling that his or her caseload size is manageable. Conclusions: Caseload size continues to be an area of concern for school-based SLPs, and efforts to address this problem must continue in order to prevent long-term struggles with SLPs' dissatisfaction, shortages, and turnover. Policy, research, and clinical implications are discussed.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. Tel: 800-638-8255; Fax: 301-571-0457; e-mail: subscribe@asha.org; Web site: http://lshss.asha.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Elementary Secondary Education; High Schools; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A