Schools need a timeout……....

Feb 22, 2013 by

Schools need a timeout…….

I recently found this opinion article through the Race to Nowhere Facebook page.  “Schools need a timeout on standardized tests” This is an opinion piece by Joshua P. Starr, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland.  Sometimes others say the exact things you are thinking.  There are three sections in his article that really struck a cord with me. “Most U.S. public school systems are attempting to implement at least three things at once right now: revamped accountability measures, reforms as part of the federal Race to the Top program and the Common Core State Standards. This is simply too much at one time.”  I’ve worked in a few different school systems the past 7 or so years and all the changes are just too much at once.  When, not if (in my...

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Never miss an opportunity to learn from another professional...

Feb 3, 2013 by

Never miss an opportunity to learn from another professional

College can give you a good foundation but the real learning comes once you start working.  And if you’re smart you’ll learn from everyone you work with, colleagues and clients. When I started working in early intervention 20 some years ago, I knew little about child development, family issues or caseload management.  So I faked it for awhile until I was able to watch, listen and learn.  Luckily it was a job where we talked and consulted a lot.  We did arena assessments where one person facilitated and the rest of us observed.  I was able to watch, listen and read the final reports of all professionals involved.  Now that I look back I was lucky to find a first job where people really respected what you had to say and at least considered...

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Meet the SLP Bloggers II

Jan 17, 2013 by

In an effort to expose readers to the wonderful SLP and educational bloggers out there, Teach Speech 365 came up with a creative idea for a “Chain Letter Link-Up.”  You can read all about me at Lets Talk Speech and Language. Now it’s my job to interview my second blogger.  This interviewee is Jessica Chase of Consonantly Speaking, Please take the time to check our Jessica’s site, she has some great information to share.   1. Jessica Chase, M.A. CCC-SLP, Consonantly Speaking –  http://consonantlyspeaking.com, consonantlyspeaking@gmail.com                   http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Consonantly-Speaking   2. When and why did you start blogging? I started blogging in March of 2012 because I had a lot of great ideas of therapy activities that I wanted to share. I had previously written a movie review blog and wanted to try my hand at...

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Are you really a co-teacher or just a glorified aid...

Jan 12, 2013 by

Are you really a co-teacher or just a glorified aid

ATTN:  Now please understand I don’t mean to ruffle anyones feathers with this article.  I know there are a lot of therapists who don’t agree with my position.  If you have a co-teaching model or push-in therapy model that really works for your student, not for you, your schedule, your high numbers or your administration, please share it in the comments section.  Please share not only your model but how the model evolved and your caseload.  I base my perspective on my experiences and those who have shared their experiences with me.   The past 10 years or so there has been a big push for therapists to use a co-teaching or push-in model.  I have no clue where this idea came from and I don’t feel like doing the research.  I honestly think...

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Games Can Be Fantastic Therapy Tools...

Dec 31, 2012 by

Games Can Be Fantastic Therapy Tools

I have always said that I can turn or modify any game into an educational experience.  Me at my advanced years was thinking only about board games.  Over the years I’ve been able to teach almost every single language skill through conventional games.  Unfortunately, those days are numbered because it’s hard to collect data when your having fun. I was extremely pleased when I came across this article on Geekslp.com  Angry Birds Educational Tool.  This article truly validates what I already know.  I am so glad the younger generation of SLP’s are able to see the value of games in learning.  I love angry birds but never even thought to bring it into my therapy as a tool but I have used it as a reward.  Why I never thought of this I don’t know. ...

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Meet the SLP Bloggers

Dec 29, 2012 by

In an effort to expose readers to the wonderful SLP and educational bloggers out there, Teach Speech 365 came up with a creative idea for a “Chain Letter Link-Up.”  You can read all about me at Lets Talk Speech and Language. Now it’s my job to interview 2 other bloggers.  Today I traded e-mail’s with Jocelyn Kupperman, who writes informative blog called “Ms. Jocelyn’s Speech”.  Ms. Jocelyn also uses her expertise and talent to create materials for Teachers pay Teachers.  Please check out her site and materials.   1. Your name, email, blog address, link to TpT store if you have one Jocelyn Kupperman jocelyn@msjocelynspeech.com www.msjocelynspeech.com http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Msjocelyn 2. When and why did you start blogging? I started officially blogging in October of 2012. I love to collaborate with colleagues and other education professionals to stay up to date...

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PPVT vs. ROWPVT Survey Results

Dec 26, 2012 by

PPVT vs. ROWPVT Survey Results

This was an easy survey to interpret.  About 80% of the therapists who responded use the PPVT and EVT combo to assess vocabulary skills.  15% are using the ROWPVT/EOWPVT combo and 5% reported using neither. The most common response for choosing a test is because that’s what is available.  With therapists moving around so much, you are usually in a position where you are using tests chosen by another therapist.  Sometime the administration thinks they know better and buy the ROWPVT/EOWPVT combo because it is significantly less expensive. No one gave any praise for the ROWPVT/EOWPVT combo but those who use the PPVT/EVT combo felt that it was reliable and give s a good overall representation of the students ability. One person who wrote neither followed up with the following comment.  “I work in...

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Merry Christmas

Dec 24, 2012 by

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas  and  Happy New Year   From The School Speech...

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Shattered

Dec 15, 2012 by

Thoughts and prayers to everyone effected by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School I write this post with a very heavy heart, just sick about what happened at the Sandy Hook Elementary School yesterday.  I was off and had access to the television all day.  Every time I heard 20 babies lost their lives I teared up.  Once the rest of the children realize what happen I don’t think all the therapy in the world is ever going to make them feel safe at school. Schools I feel do their best to make their schools secure but honestly most fall very short.  In most schools there is a sign that says visitor have to check in with the office.  Some schools do lock their front doors and you have to be buzzed in. ...

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Survey Says! Results of Entrance and Exit Criteria Survey...

Dec 1, 2012 by

Survey Says! Results of Entrance and Exit Criteria Survey

Well only 5 people responded to this survey.  I can conclude three things from that.  Either it isn’t as big of an issues as I thought (or hasn’t become one yet), the survey was too long or no one is looking at my blog.  More than likely it is the last one.  Even though it was only 5 people responding I received some very interesting feedback that I would like to share and comment on. The basic question was…..Does you school have entrance and exit criteria?  Only one out of the 5 respondents said they had entrance and exit criteria.  Apparent this was done in an attempt to standardized services throughout a  very large school system.  They went on to say that it was put in place in 2011 after a year long study...

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Topic for December

Nov 25, 2012 by

Topic for December

During the month of December The School Speech Therapist will be focusing on consulting and co-teaching. Any ideas, questions, concerns or thoughts on this topic I’d love to hear from you. I will continue to follow up on the surveys around entrance and exit criteria and vocabulary testing. Just waiting for the data to come in. So if you haven had a chance to take a couple of quick surveys I’d really appreciate it. https://theschoolspeechtherapist.com/ppvtevt-vs-rowpvteowpvt/...

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#2 PPVT/EVT vs. ROWPVT/EOWPVT

Nov 23, 2012 by

#2 PPVT/EVT vs. ROWPVT/EOWPVT

Last Monday the day after posting my first article on PPVT/EVT vs. ROWPVT/EOWPVT I was reviewing previous testing on a student and couldn’t believe my eyes.  Only 3 year ago, a therapist actually used the PPVT/EOWPVT combo when assessing a student.  I haven’t seen that in years. The comparison of the scores was PPVT 84 and EOWPVT 94.  General receptive skills fell in the average to below average range and general expressive skills fell almost consistently in the below average range.  This is the exact pattern we use to see in the old days.  Everything falling quite a bit lower than the EOWPVT. Now the ROWPVT/EOWPVT was updated in 2011 so perhaps that pattern doesn’t show up anymore.  I just thought it was funny to see that right after putting the  PPVT/EVT vs. ROWPVT/EOWPVT...

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Coming Fall 2013 CELF-5

Nov 21, 2012 by

Coming Fall 2013 CELF-5

I was surfing the web and an ad for the CELF 5 popped up. http://www.pearsonassessments.com/HAIWEB/Cultures/en-us/Productdetail.htm?Pid=CELF-5&Mode=summary This is the first I’ve heard about it.  Looks like they are making the CELF one stop shopping.  Since the CELF is such a good and reliable test to start with I have high hopes for the test.  I also hope at $650 they are not pricing themselves out of the market.  Lots of budget problems in schools these days.  If you have any info on the CELF 5 changes let The School Speech Therapist know. T...

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PPVT/EVT vs. ROWPVT/EOWPVT

Nov 19, 2012 by

PPVT/EVT vs. ROWPVT/EOWPVT

Unless you are a speech pathologist you probably have no idea what the title is referring do. Well it’s all about vocabulary testing. These tests, with the exception of the EVT have been around for years. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test was originally Published in 1959. It is probably the first test most therapists in training learn to give. Do you believe that back when I was in school we were actually able to calculate something that they referred to as an IQ score. Thank goodness for updates. The test was good even back then and really seemed to reflect the true ability of the student. The Expressive One Word Picture Vocabulary Test came next in 1979. Everyone started using it almost immediately. This was the vocabulary testing everyone used for many years, even...

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Entrance and Exit Criteria

Nov 11, 2012 by

Entrance and Exit Criteria

With every job I’ve ever had the administration, in an effort to decrease numbers always wants the speech language pathologists to develop Entrance and Exit criteria. This comes up every few years. Most schools will pull out an old document written in 1988 or so that is apparently their formal E&E criteria. This document is usually very vague and no one even knew it existed. I picture the therapists from the 80ies with big hair and scarves around their necks putting together something to appease the administration and to account for their consulting time together. I also picture one therapist doing most of the work by hand the night before it was due. I have never worked in a system that “made” the therapists follow their E&E criteria. Still every system thinks this is...

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Out of Range Testing for Severely Impaired Students...

Nov 5, 2012 by

Out of Range Testing for Severely Impaired Students

This question has come up again? Many therapists are put in positions where they have to test severely involved students who are perhaps not even on their caseload or in outside placements. I know the law says we have to test but how do you do this and make it valid. As far as I know other than some checklists, there is nothing out that that really looks at functional language. I’ve seen the checklists and often you have to modify them to fit the students needs and levels. Then what do the results tell you anyway? There’s usually not cut off to say therapy will be beneficial or not or even guidelines to help you with goals. Seriously, how do you put an age or level on the language of the severely impaired....

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Survey Says……..(with comments)...

Oct 29, 2012 by

Survey Says……..(with comments)

Thank you to the Speech Language Pathologists who participated in this speech and language assessment survey.  I received responses from 9 people.  Granted that isn’t a large number but I’ve read scholarly papers written with less data.  I’m using the acronyms in this report since we all know what they are:).  Sorry about the comments but I couldn’t help myself.  It is my survey so I can do that.  Please feel free to share your comments and questions. What is your standard test battery? The CELF-4 was the overwhelming test of choice for most therapists.  The CASL and the OWLS were most frequently mentioned as second choices.  For vocabulary testing most preferred the PPVT/EVT combo to the ROWPVT/EOWPVT.  Then there is the good old Goldman Fristoe.  What else could you use for articulation?  It’s...

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When does a Middle School Child need a Speech and Language Evaluation-reprint...

Oct 27, 2012 by

When does a Middle School Child need a Speech and Language Evaluation-reprint

Hi Everyone. I have to apologize for being so lax about posting.  I had the grandest plans for this month, writing about the speech and language assessment process.  Well to make excuses, I can tell you that work has exploded.  I work part time for a school system doing evaluations and they’ve decided to move up their time line on all of the evaluations.  I actually think it’s a  great idea but it shoves more work into my limited time.  And lets not forget those pesky report write up that mostly take place at home.  I also picked up another wonderful part time job at a vocational high school which will be a new experience for me.  They too have me testing to meet deadlines. Since I love evaluating I don’t mind being busy...

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Easy Report Writing?

Oct 14, 2012 by

Easy Report Writing?

Is there such a thing?  If you think I have the answer you’d be wrong.  You haven’t heard from me in awhile because I am in the throws of report write ups.  When you’re a school therapist you don’t have the luxury of  clinics who will take months sometimes to write up a report.  We have deadlines and they have to be met.  However, I am a procrastinator and almost always wait till the last minute to pull things together.  Luckily the due dates for the report write up and the actual meeting are usually a few days apart because unlike clinics that drop their reports off at our doorstep, we still have to write up the educational plan in time for the meeting. Even after so many years of experience report writing is...

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Assessing Children Adopted from Abroad...

Oct 6, 2012 by

Assessing Children Adopted from Abroad

I came across this article on ASHAsphere and wanted to share. The article Relationship and Communication Development in Children Adopted From Abroad by Deborah HWA-Froelich focuses on the uniqued differences in overall language development in children who are adopted from other countries. I’ve worked with children who have come from other countries who speak both languages in the home and those that acquired english early on after listening and possibly speaking (or beginning to speak) in another language. As Ms. Froelich points out, the foreign adopted children experience a disruption in language development. I know from experienced that these children, when brought to my attention, are clearly more language disabled than the typical ESL/ELL child. ESL/ELL children have their own set of issues. I see a lot of splinter skills in their vocabulary and...

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