Enhancing the Preparation of Speech-Language Pathologists to Collaboratively
Address the Language and Literacy Needs of Children with Disabilities
Frequently Asked Questions
6/18/09
1. When will I complete the various training grant activities?
When you begin your master's program, we'll devise a plan/timeline to complete the various
training grant activities. You will participate in the weekly seminar for each of the semesters
that you are enrolled into the master's program. The first semester of graduate school is
often overwhelming and so we will probably minimize how many grant activities you
complete that semester.
2. What about the Independent Learning Plan? I have never done something like this
before.
The Independent Learning Plan will be created from the ASHA document, Knowledge and
Skills Needed by Speech-Language Pathologists With Respect to Reading and Writing in
Children and Adolescents. There will be some knowledge/skill areas that all trainees will
target for expertise development and then individual trainees will identify some particular
areas to target for themselves. The target areas identified will be based on individual areas
of interest and individual career goals.
3. Can you explain the service obligation further?
The general purpose of the service obligation is to assure that the IDEA funding provided by
the US Department of Education for personnel preparation accomplishes its goal – that is,
develops highly qualified personnel who provide special education services (including
speech-language services) to children with disabilities in the United States, particularly in
school settings. You have a service obligation of TWO years of service for each year of full
support. So, if you received ½ funding for each of your two years of your master's program,
then you received the equivalent of one full year of funding – so your obligation would be
TWO years. Make sure you read the service obligation form carefully. Ask for a copy of the
Federal Register document if you'd like. And we can always get specific questions answered
by the folks at the US Department of Education.
4. When will I complete my training grant externship experience in the schools if I am a
non-background student?
The spring semester of your second year of graduate school, from February to May, is
typically a lighter semester academically for non-background students. As such, this time
period will be open for you to complete a school practicum experience, for example, for
several days per week for about 10 weeks. You would still complete a regular full-time
externship in the summer of your second year.
5. Will participation in this training grant preclude me getting adequate experience in
other areas?
Although your participation in the training grant will provide an opportunity to develop
expertise in language and literacy, the current ASHA certification requirements require you
to develop knowledge and skills across nine areas of clinical practice. Thus, you will have
opportunities in coursework and clinical assignments to develop a knowledge and skill base
across the nine areas of clinical practice.