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What Makes a Caseload (Un)Manageable? School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists Speak

Karen A. Fallon
Towson University

Katie Blenkarn
Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre

Megan K. Smith
EBS Healthcare

Purpose: Large caseload sizes and the shortage of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are ongoing concerns in the field. The current study was conducted to identify current average caseload sizes for school-based SLPs, a threshold at which caseload size begins to be perceived as unmanageable, and variables contributing to school-based SLPs’ feelings of caseload manageability.

Method: Approximately 2000 public school-based SLPs from across the country were solicited for participation in an on-line, web-based survey between April and May of 2007. Of those SLPs who were contacted, 634 full-time SLPs, from 49 states, completed surveys. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics as well as logistic regression.

Results: Mean caseload size for SLPs in this sample was 49 students. At the caseload range of 41–50 students, approximately 60% of SLPs perceived their caseload size as unmanageable. The logistic regression revealed caseload size, years of experience, and extent of collaboration as significant predictors of an SLP’s likelihood of feeling that his/her caseload size is manageable.

Conclusions: Caseload sizes continue to be an area of concern for school-based SLPs, and efforts to address this problem must persist in order to prevent long-term struggles with dissatisfaction, shortages, and turnover. Policy, research, and clinical implications are discussed.

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