Eight American values/beliefs that affect speech/language service delivery are examined: the importance of time, the need for directness in communication, the appropriateness of informality in communication, the belief in equality, the necessity and efficacy of rehabilitation, the importance of independence, family involvement in rehabilitation,…

This article reviews the legislative/regulatory, societal, professional, and demographic influences that shaped and defined school-based speech-language practice as it is today. Emphasis is on the fundamental elements of contextually based assessments, educationally relevant intervention plans, and increased collaboration/consultation. Strategies…

This epilogue to a series of articles addressing changes in speech-language pathology practices, discusses the influence of evidence-based approaches to clinical services. A bibliography of readings addressing English and Spanish phonology, spelling, recent regulations and guidelines, and evidence-based research and practices is appended.…

This article urges speech language pathologists (SLPs) to avoid the tutoring role in the effort to provide individualized services to children in regular classroom settings. Suggested alternatives to the tutoring role include acting in a consultative role to help modify classroom practices early in the year and later on providing direct services…

This cooperative report of seven associations of special educators and related professionals provides guidelines for using a paraprofessional service delivery model in providing speech language services in educational settings. It identifies three levels of paraprofessionals, recommends requirements for each level, and addresses activities outside…

This case study describes the experiences of a newly graduated speech-language pathologist working in a small urban school district with a series of speech-language assistants who have various levels of qualifications and personality types. It illustrates how professional supervision skills, preservice paraprofessional training,…

This review of recent British legislation and government plans for providing speech and language therapy (SLT) for children with special educational needs focuses on such issues as collaboration among services using a systems framework, functional issues in coordinating health and educational services, especially SLT, and structural issues such as…

Reviews the preparation, use, supervision, and qualifications of speech-language (SL) paraprofessionals and their SL supervisors working in educational settings. Identifies ongoing issues that have been barriers to the development of national and state guidelines for SL paraprofessional use and supervision and discusses current issues promoting…

This introductory article discusses factors that have led to changes in speech-language pathology practices, including a better and broader understanding of the human communication process, revised federal guidelines and regulations for special education and related services, and a strong desire to encourage scientific pursuit through…

This commentary reviews the articles in this special issue focusing on treatment of preschool and school-aged students with fluency disorders. The commentary addresses therapy and counseling models, the importance of attending to attitudes among children and parents, service delivery models for school programs, transfer of training, and recent…

This report presents the conclusions of a consortium of organizations on the development of a framework for the appropriate preparation, use, and supervision of paraprofessionals in the delivery of speech and language services in early intervention and educational settings for children with communication disorders. The framework establishes three…