Availability of speech-language programs serving students found ineligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

A review of the literature revealed a need for programs serving students with speech/language disorders that do not adversely affect their educational performance. This study sought to locate non-special education sponsored speech-language programs designed to serve students found ineligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Public Law 101-476). Eight states were identified as offering non-IDEA speech-language services in the regular education program for students found ineligible under special education law. State education agency personnel responsible for statewide public school speech-language programs were surveyed in these states to seek specific information about the non- IDEA programs offered. Speech-language pathologists employed in rural and urban public school settings in these states were surveyed to note whether the non-IDEA services were offered in their school districts. Specific eligibility criteria were examined to determine how decisions are made regarding the enrollment of students with speech/language disorders in non-special education sponsored programs and special education sponsored programs. Guidelines for implementing and regulating speech-language programs were requested from each state education agency for the purpose of compiling best practices in the field. The study revealed that non-IDEA speech-language programs were designed to serve students with minor or mild articulation, language, fluency, and voice disorders. Eligibility criteria used in placing students in these programs were similar to those used in placing students in special education sponsored speech-language programs. Formal regulations/guidelines were reported in one-half of the states but only one state had published guidelines available. These results provide support for more states to offer alternate speech-language programs to meet the needs of students outside of special education. An in-depth study of eligibility criteria used in serving students in IDEA and non-IDEA speech-language programs is warranted.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Administration and Supervision of Special Education

Department dc:contributor.department

Administration and Supervision of Special Education

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1995

Author dc:creator

• Stunson, Da Fayne A.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• McGrady, Harold J.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Salmon, Richard
• Fortune, Jimmie C.
• Garn-Nunn, Pamela
• Vaught, Claire C.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-10262005-143524

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/40222