Virtual SLP
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Anonymous
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I know there is an SLP and special educator shortage so understand that MCPS is doing what they can to fill the bare minimum of supports (resulting in an increasing shortage because people are leaving in record numbers).
Do parents have any recourse if their child’s services are being met virtually? If students aren’t making adequate progress to meet their goals but were making progress with in person services, what can be done? |
Anonymous
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Recourse depends on what is in kid's IEP. Regardless of in person or virtual, if not making sufficient progress, then you'd prob reconvene the IEP team to discuss your concerns, as a first step.
My kiddo got a virtual SLP last spring when the usual SLP went on leave. It was a surprise that the virtual SLP, a contractor, was actually far more responsive and involved. So it might actually not be worse than the regular delivery of services in person. |
Anonymous
| I would not stand for this. My kid would never get as much out of virtual as in person. Who is going to insure compliance? Especially for little kids? |
Anonymous
We had a virtual SLP at our school last year. She was really good actually. There was also an in person facilitator who picked the kids up from.class and made sure the sessions flowed the way they were supposed to and help with materials/interactions with the kids. It first replace in person speech, but for SOME kids, its fine. |
Anonymous
| Hopefully your child will have a good experience like some of the other PPs. However, if your child is not making progress it will be important to document the lack of progress and document your disagreement with virtual SLP. Do so in writing and at an IEP meeting and request to have it documented in the PWN. If the team agrees you may be able to get compensatory education services and/or switch to in person speech. |
Anonymous
| At this point it’s just one more thing that students are legally obligated to get, that the schools do not have resources for. One giant unfunded mandate. |
Anonymous
It is funded. MCPS waste means children lose out. |
Anonymous
| MCPS services are garbage. Have you ever witnessed a session? It's a waste of time. If you can afford it, private therapies is always the way to go. I've witnessed virtual MCPS services for OT and ST and it was better that the kids took a break than have to deal with useless virtual services. I will not get into the compensatory services that were also unfortunate! Document everything, but I highly suggest private therapies. |
Anonymous
| Will parents fill in at schools if there is a shortage? |
Anonymous
As SLPs? 
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Anonymous
They have the funds. They can’t find the people. There are school SLP shortages nationwide as SLPs have wised up to the fact that the stress and caseloads make the pay insufficient. And it’s not just schools, it’s nursing homes, etc. too. Plenty are just quitting or changing careers. |
Anonymous
| We had to do virtual SLP during covid and unfortunately it did not work for my kid. |
Anonymous
| Let me remind everyone that MCPS has a 3.32 BILLION dollar operating budget. It's in the top 30 systems in the nation when it comes to per pupil spend. The money is absolutely, 100% there to raise SLP pay to recruit and retain more providers. The central office chooses to spend the money on inflating their salaries and number of positions instead. |
Anonymous
They also get extra for kids with IEP's and 504. |
Anonymous
| They also get money from medical assistance. SLP's (and other specialists) fill out medical assistance billing. There are medical assistance billers that process what is filled out. |