PRESS RELEASE
Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists Seek Funding of Salary
Supplement for National Certification
Take a moment to consider how important your
communication skills are in your daily life. Adequate communication
skills are vital for speaking, thinking, listening, writing, learning,
and even reading. As of February 1, 2007, there were 26,073 students in
Louisiana who had been evaluated and diagnosed with various
communication disorders (Louisiana Department of Education, State
Special Education Data Profile, 2007, pg. 42). Some of these students
cannot speak clearly, some have a hearing loss, some stutter, some have
voice problems, and others have difficulty understanding language and
expressing their thoughts. These students are eligible for and receive
services for their disorders as mandated by federal and state laws.
The group of professionals who work with such students in the public
school setting are Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Audiologists
(AUDs).
The main job of all SLPs and AUDs in the school setting is to help these
students improve or strengthen their communication skills. In addition,
SLPs and AUDs are responsible for screening for potential disorders,
evaluating and diagnosing communication disorders, developing
individualized educational programs (IEPs) in accordance with federal
law, documenting outcomes, maintaining detailed records, completing
re-evaluations, and collaborating with parents and teachers on a regular
basis.
SLPs and AUDs must hold a Louisiana State Department of Education
license in order to work in a public school. They also have the
opportunity to obtain the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from
the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This involves
obtaining a Master’s degree in communication disorders from an
accredited university, passing the PRAXIS exam (a national competitive
examination in the field), completing a supervised postgraduate
fellowship year, paying an annual fee, and obtaining continued education
credits on an annual basis. While the State Department of Education
does not require SLPs and AUDs to obtain this certification, the CCC
enhances their employment options. For example, this certification is a
requirement if an SLP or AUD wants to work in a medical setting or
private practice. In addition, neighboring states pay a salary
supplement for the CCC.
The Louisiana Legislature officially recognized the achievement of
national certification by SLPs and AUDs by virtue of Act 952 passed in
the 2003 Legislative Session. It proposed a phased in salary supplement
for SLPs and AUDs with national certification, but funding has not yet
been provided. Classroom teachers, guidance counselors, school
psychologists and social workers have all been recognized and rewarded
for their national certifications. At this point, the only
professionals in the state of Louisiana who are not being rewarded for
achieving national certification and contributing to the education of
children are audiologists and speech-language pathologists.
Efforts to obtain funding of the salary supplement over the course of
the last 5 years have been supported and coordinated by the Speech
Pathologists & Audiologists in Louisiana Schools (SPALS) and Louisiana
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (LSHA) organizations. There is
currently a Petition being circulated requesting the salary supplement
be funded, which has been signed by more than 500 AUDs and SLPs. There
is also an Addendum to the Petition that is being signed by teachers,
parents, and education officials in support of funding the salary
supplement. The Petition and Addendum to the Petition will be presented
to the Legislators when SLPs and AUDs from all areas of the state meet
for a “Day at the Capitol” in Baton Rouge on April 29, 2008. This group
of professionals point out that they are not asking for more than their
fair share, only for parity with other educational professionals who
have achieved national certification and receive a salary supplement.
