ASHA Learning Pass

Eligibility for speech-language services in schools must adhere to the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). This session explains IDEA requirements, including eligibility criteria, use of standardized and nonstandardized assessments and classroom observations, and team decision-making. The presenter shares strategies and addresses eligibility concerns related to unique populations as well as presents tips to enhance deliberations by interprofessional teams when making eligibility decisions.

This course is a recorded session from the 2022/2023 online conference “Assessment, Eligibility, and Dismissal in Schools: Strategies, Tools, and Decision-Making.”

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Select and administer assessments that lead to more informed eligibility decisions 
• Connect assessment data with education standards to document adverse educational impact 
• Explain potential causes of disproportionate eligibility determination of students from diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds 
• Develop a communication plan to improve the eligibility team’s understanding of the adverse educational impact of a speech-language impairment

Lissa Power-deFur, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, is Professor Emeritus at Longwood University for many years, serving as the first Program Director, Department Chair, and Interim Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. Previously, she worked at the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), where she served as a Director in the Office of Special Education and Student Services. Among her responsibilities at VDOE was the revision of the Virginia special education regulations. Lissa has served as an active volunteer throughout her career, with volunteer leadership in ASHA and the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV). Her work includes services as ASHA's Vice President of Ethics and Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology (2014-2016), ASHA State Education Advocacy Leader (SEAL), Council on Academic Accreditation site visitor, SHAV President and Board member, and various other ASHA and SHAV committees and boards. She regularly writes and presents in the areas of ethics, special education, educational standards, and serving as an expert witness. She received the ASHA Leader Outstanding Recognition for her article on special education eligibility in 2012 and has received teaching, leadership, and service awards at Longwood University.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete the learning assessment by April 11, 2028.

Program History and CE Information

Online conference dates: October 12–24, 2022, February 1-13, 2023
End date: April 11, 2028