ERIC Number: ED580150
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 245
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-3553-6278-7
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
K-5 Educators' Perceptions of the Role of Speech Language Pathologists
Hatcher, Karmon D.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Walden University
Rarely is a school-based speech language pathologist (SLP) thought of as an active contributor to the achievement of students or to the learning community in general. Researchers have found benefits for students when members of the learning community collaborate, and the SLP should be a part of this community collaboration. This qualitative case study examined elementary school teachers', administrators', and reading specialists' perspectives related to knowledge of and the inclusion of the SLP in the learning community at a local elementary school in central Georgia. Schon's theory of reflective practice and Coleman's theory of social capital provided the conceptual framework. Via an open-ended questionnaire and intensive interviews, 8 educators with 3 or more years of experience in 1 of the K-5 elementary schools in this local community provided data for this study. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through inductive methods using open and axial coding with thematic analysis. The results of the study showed 4 common themes that the participants felt were important. These themes included the fact that teachers understood the SLP to be a resource, but were unsure how to access their specialty; teachers and SLPs needed allotted time to work together; teachers and SLPs needed to communicate frequently; and teachers desired more knowledge of the SLP's role in the educational setting. Important implications for social change in elementary school learning communities include increasing involvement of the SLP, promoting SLP involvement in the identification of at-risk students, increasing educator awareness of the SLP's benefit, and increasing collaboration between SLPs and educators promoted through a 3-day professional learning project. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Elementary School Teachers, Allied Health Personnel, Speech Language Pathology, Qualitative Research, Case Studies, Administrators, Reading Consultants, Teacher Attitudes, Administrator Attitudes, Elementary Schools, School Community Relationship, Educational Cooperation, Staff Role, Research Methodology, Questionnaires, Interviews
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Georgia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A