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Speak Out October 2015 29
BRANCH news
queensland
Speech-language
pathologists (SLPs) in the
Queensland Department of
Education and Training (DET)
are strengthening collaboration
with school teams to establish
effective language learning
environments where highly
focused interactive teaching
takes place. Acknowledging the
integral link between spoken
language and learning, and the
significant role of State School
SLPs in supporting educational
outcomes for all students, an increasing number
of schools are using discretionary funding to
purchase additional SLT support. This support
has been directed to services delivered within a
whole school approach, and aimed at improving
student achievement through the implementation
of research and evidence-based programs
and strategies. This increase in SLP time to
schools has created an opportunity for increased
professional collaboration and for SLPs to
showcase the skills and knowledge they bring to
the teaching and learning environment.
SLPs across Prep, Primary and Special schools
have engaged with school teams to develop
and implement a range of curriculum supports
to build the spoken language and literacy skills
of all students. To strengthen students’ early
foundations in language and literacy, and enhance
teachers’ skills in shared book reading and
differentiated instruction, Metropolitan Region
SLPs have adapted a program idea from the
United States to develop an authorised thirty week
program that provides a systematic, explicit and
flexible approach to building students’ skills in four
key areas of language and literacy: vocabulary,
narrative, phonological awareness and print
knowledge. The program is based on high quality
research, has evidence to support its efficacy
and effectiveness, and considers many aspects
of language and literacy development within a
sound pedagogical framework. The modified
program supports the Australian Curriculum for the
foundation year of schooling.
This program was introduced in 2013 and in that
year alone was taken up by approximately 70
schools in this region. The 2014 school year began
and three weeks into Term 1, DET announced
its Great Results Guarantee initiative, providing
discretionary funding to schools to develop
evidence-based programs that respond to the
needs of students and return a high yield in terms
of improved student outcomes.
Ideally located within Australian Hearing – Mt Gravatt are two consulting
rooms, to be leased separately or together, furnished or unfurnished.
These are part of the larger suite of offices used by Australian Hearing.
The rooms would suit a speech pathologist or other health professionals,
as there is scope for referral opportunities from our large existing client
base. Mt Gravatt is one of the two early intervention centres in Brisbane
for newly diagnosed children. We have a strong long standing client
base and great stakeholder relationships within primary health care. The
rooms are available immediately for both short and long term rent.
Included:
• Electricity
• Heating and Ventilation
• Telephones if required
• Secure entry with 24/7 access
• Free parking for patients and staff
Benefits:
• Patient access to reception and waiting areas
• Directly across the road from Westfield Garden City
• Close to major transport links with the bus hub at Garden City
• Well maintained and a long standing lease is in place
Please direct all enquiries to Darran Ginn, Manager, Australian
Hearing, Mt Gravatt.
Email:
Phone: 07 3347 4200 / 0408 318 468
Two Consultation Rooms to Rent
Australian Hearing – Mt Gravatt, QLD
As they say, timing is everything
and the timing for us could not
have been better. Here we were
with a research and evidence-
based program that supports
the foundation skills of literacy,
builds the capacity of teachers,
and assists in the gathering and
reporting of student data. Many
of the schools implementing
the program purchased
additional SLP time to support
class teachers in incorporating
the targeted objectives and
differentiation strategies into their teaching practice. This additional time
allocation allowed State School SLPs to actively engage in the teaching and
learning environment and develop a truly integrated service delivery model
– combining the classroom teacher’s expertise in curriculum, classroom
management and group instruction with the SLPs knowledge in spoken
language, explicit teaching and differentiated instruction. While this was at
times challenging for both teachers and SLPs, data gathered over the year
indicated an increased understanding of the integral links between spoken
language and literacy and of the value of strong collaborative partnerships
between the SLP and the school team in delivering improved learning
outcomes for all students. Exciting times indeed! Jennifer Peach
Senior Advisor: Speech Language Therapy,
Queensland Department of Education and Training
Timing is everything!