SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

Speech-Language Pathologists in public schools serve students with speech and/or language impairments. A speech or language impairment is defined as “ a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance” (C.F.R. §300.8.). Speech and language disorders can also result from a variety of other impairments, including cerebral palsy, cleft palate, hearing loss, autism, learning disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries.

The Speech-Language Pathologist in the public schools may provide many roles for students with speech and language impairments, including evaluation, IEP development and intervention. They also may provide screening and prevention services, collaboration with other instructional personnel, and training and professional development. Speech-Language Pathologists may serve students in a variety of ways, including individual, small group, classroom-based, or consultation.

Region 6 coordinates technical assistance for individuals who work with students who have speech-language disorders.

Technical assistance may include:

• Current information about best practices and innovative programs
• Evaluation
• Current research
• Service-delivery models
• Certification and licensure
• Rules and regulations

Region 6 ESC provides quality staff development that facilitates service delivery to students who have communication disorders. Our goal is to provide quality training that will enable licensed speech pathologists to remain current in their knowledge and skills as well as obtain the continuing education hours required for annual licensure renewal. Our staff development activities may be found in the Region 6 Special Education Staff Development On-Line Catalog, additional information may be made available through special flyers, brochures, and the SLP listserv.

Contact:
Ana Deter
936.435.8247
adeter@esc6.net

Additional Information

American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)

TSHA Speech Impairment Eligibility Guidelines

Resources

Texas Department of Licensing Regulation - Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - Texas Licensing Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

TSHA - SLP Assistant Resource

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Parent Companion (First Five Years)

Texas Project FIRST

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Speech Disorders

Stuttering Foundation of America

Apraxia-Kids

First Words Project

Speech Therapy Activities

The Stuttering Foundation

The Legal Framework

International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

The Hanen Centre – Helping you help children communicate

The Speech Accent Archive

The Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex)

Speech-Language Pathology Master’s (SLP) Degree Program Statewide Distance Venue 

Overview 

To address the shortage of master’s level speech-language pathology (SLPs) in Texas schools, a partnership was formed with Texas Education Service Centers, Texas Woman’s University (TWU), Texas Education Agency (TEA), and local educational entities to provide a master’s degree program for both in-field and out-of-field students.  The program utilizes videoconferencing, web-based instruction, and clinical experiences on school campuses, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and rehabilitation centers.  Successful program completion prepares graduates to apply for Texas licensure in speech pathology and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification. The Master of Science Education program in Speech-Language Pathology at Texas Woman’s University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  The Region 10 Education Service Center (ESC) provides statewide coordination of the program and, along with other participating ESCs, assists students by providing classroom sites and classroom coordinators. 

While applicants accepted into this program will be fully prepared to serve in any professional setting, this program is intended to help ameliorate the shortage of licensed, certified SLPs in Texas public schools and is open only to those committed to employment with a public school district or charter school. 

The SLP Distance Learning Venue is designed to allow students to work in the schools as licensed assistants while completing the requirements for the master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Each student must secure sponsorship from an educational entity (e.g., school district or charter school) and maintain it throughout the master’s program.  Students must attend classes in a participating ESC. 

The program also provides the opportunity to complete Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Bilingual SLP, Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the SLP, or Multicultural and Diversity studies for the SLP. Students interested in pursuing these certificates will take additional coursework and complete practicum hours focused in the specific certificate areas while in the program. 

For more information on the Certificates click on the links below: 

TWU Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Bilingual SLP 

TWU Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the SLP 

TWU Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Multicultural and Diversity Studies for the SLP 

Cycle 13 SLP Master’s Degree Distance Venue Information Meetings 

The application window for Cycle 13 of the SLP Master’s Degree Distance Venue will open in August 2024. Cycle 13 Cohort will run from June 2025 to August 2027. 

Attendance of one full Information Meeting is a mandatory part of the application process. Information Meetings are held virtually and will explain in detail all aspects of the SLP Master’s Degree Distance Venue as well as the application process. There will be time at the end of each meeting for questions. 

Please click on the links below to register for one Information Meeting. 

SLP Master’s Degree Distance Venue Information Meetings 

4:30 pm -6:30 pm 

1. Monday, October 21^st, 2024

For more information: TWU Distance Venue information 

For more information: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Licensure Requirements 

For additional information, please contact Pam Bumpass at pbumpass@esc6.net or 936-435-8249.