School-Based Advocacy Toolkit

School-based speech-language pathologists play a vital role in ensuring students have access to the communication supports they need to succeed in the educational environment. Effective advocacy helps SLPs communicate the value of their services, address workload and staffing challenges, and promote high-quality, legally compliant service delivery. This toolkit was developed to provide practical resources, data collection tools, guidance documents, and advocacy strategies that can be used at the classroom, district, and state levels. Whether you are addressing caseload concerns, educating administrators about the role of the school-based SLP, or engaging in broader policy discussions, these resources are designed to help you advocate with confidence. We encourage you to explore the materials, adapt them to your local needs, and partner with colleagues, administrators, families, and PSHA to strengthen speech-language services for students across Pennsylvania.

Watch this episode of the PSHA 3P's on a Pod Podcast to learn how to advocate for yourself in a school setting.  This recording is also available for .1 ASHA CEU's and 1 PDH on the PSHA Virtual Learning Pass.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/KdX9Ac4wnkQ

Workload Caseload Calculator

• ASHA's Workload Calculator
• ASHA's Caseload vs Workload Practice Portal
• SLP Caseload and Workload Characteristics

Impacts of High Caseloads

• Potential Impact of High SLP Caseloads on School Districts
• Potential Impacts of High Caseloads on SLP's in Schools
• Addressing Stress, Overwhelm, and Burnout in School-Based SLP Practice
• The Invisible Workload of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists Who Identify as Overwhelmed: A Grounded Theory Study
• How Speech Pathologists’ Caseloads Impact Employee Effectiveness  in Public Schools
• Building and Sustaining Manageable Caseloads 
• A Closer Look at Caseloads: Challenges in School-Based Speech-Language Pathology Services
• Workload Considerations for  Effective Special Education 
• Beyond Headcounts: Transforming SLP Workloads with Weighted Caseloads

Eligibility Resources

• IDEA and Evaluation and Eligibility for Speech-Language Impairment

School Based SLP Resources from ASHA.org

• Information for School-Based SLPs
• ASHA Supports Effective Services Leading To Independent Communication
• Gun Violence and School Safety
• https://www.asha.org/slp/schools/prof-consult/guidelines/\
• ASHA Guidance: School Walkouts or Strikes
• School Advocacy Resources: Legislation and Regulation