School-based Speech Language Pathologists often have a chance to move up their pay scale but aren’t jumping at the chance to spend more time and money to complete coursework. Especially if you just finished paying off your original student loans {like me!} School SLPs determine their income based on a school salary schedule. This means you can move up in pay in two ways. The salary schedule is simply a grid of rows and columns, with the rows down the side being increasing years of service, called “steps,” and the columns across the top being increasing education credentials–bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctorate, with intermediate steps to recognize the accumulation of continuing education credits from professional development.
(This sample salary is the first one that appeared on a google search. It is not my pay scale and might not even be a schedule that SLPs in this district follow! It just popped up first.)
On the vertical axis, you earn an increase in pay based on your years of experience. On the horizontal axis, you earn a salary differential based on level of education. Today I wanted to share some information about increasing your level of education in a way that doesn’t break the bank …. or your spirit. Let’s face it – the idea of more classwork in your already busy life is tough.
A salary differential is an incremental increase in salary based on academic credit, coursework or degrees earned. The salary differentials are listed horizontally across the top of the salary schedule. An appointed teacher is eligible to move horizontally across the schedule as they accumulate academic credit, coursework, and degrees above the bachelor’s degree. Your district might call this “class change” or “salary schedule change”. Whatever they call it, it’s important to look at it and decide if it’s worth it to earn those extra hours. One of the things to consider is your retirement. Yes, earning an extra 14,000 per year at 18 years of experience (in the example above) is important but what is more important is your retirement! You will either be putting away a higher % each year (if you put a % into your retirement savings) OR your fixed retirement % will be based on that higher number over the last 3 years (if your retirement is a set amount and based on 3 highest incoming years).
So let’s say you’re ready to move up to Masters +15, +30 or +45. Where should you start? This year I’ve learned so much about the types of coursework out there and what it is going to cost you! Here are some opportunities I’ve liked and found along the way with information about how useful they are, how related to our field they are, and the cost. During this year, I will have earned 30 hours in one school year! It’s been exhausting but I’m working to get to +45 before our contract is renegotiated. I’m considering myself a semi-pro at this point! Each of these resources is one I have personally used or one that my friends have used. I hope you find the resource useful and don’t have to use the same number of hours searching as me!
Autism Internet Modules (www.autisminternetmodules.org)
AIM is designed to provide high-quality information and professional development for anyone who supports, instructs, works with, or lives with someone with autism. AIM modules are available at no cost. They are created by OCALI. Each module guides you through case studies, instructional videos, pre- and post-assessments, a glossary, and much more. If you would like to receive credit for your time on AIM, certificate and credit options are available for a fee.
This is an awesome free resource in general but since we’re trying to earn credits, sign up and take the course through Ashland University in Ohio. There are a total of 11 credit hours available at this time. I’ve taken 8 hours so far. For each course you complete a series of modules (about 10 modules per credit hour). They include a pre-test, reading/videos, and post-test. Once you complete all of the work you’re done! Start out trying out a module for free and see if you like it before purchasing the Ashland credit option. The cost per credit hour is $225. Ashland is really easy to work with and I’ve had no problems with the technical side!
Assistive Technology Internet Modules (atinternetmodules.org)
OCALI also offers one credit hour course through the Assistive Technology Internet Modules. ATIM is designed to provide high-quality information and professional development on assistive technology (AT) for educators, professionals, families, persons with disabilities, and others.
Each module guides you through case studies, instructional videos, pre- and post-assessments, a glossary, and much more. ATIM modules are available at no cost. The course through Ashland University is $225 per credit hour and also completely online.
University of La Verne has a separate PDC sight. I’m taking my last 15 hours through their online program. They send you books and then you complete the assignments on their website. I’m currently taking a class about dealing with difficult parents, ADHD and Aspergers! Three interesting ones for sure!
Learners Edge has over 85 Self-Paced, Continuing Education graduate level courses. A friend of mine who is a Kindergarten teacher completed 30 hours through Learners Edge and found it to be a cost-effective way to complete all her hours! I’ve browsed the catalog and found courses on counseling, ADHD, autism, and ELL students that sounds interesting.
Several teachers at my school have completed courses through VESi. VESi develops online education courses for professionals. Created by instructors at VESi, these courses are available for various types of credit including Continuing Education Units (CEU), Professional Learning Units (PLU), Professional Development Units (PDU), Clock Hours, Undergraduate credit, or Graduate credit. They work with over 90 universities. The prices change depending on your University, but for example using Ashland University in Ohio a 3 credit hour course was $400.
Assistive Technology Certificate
If you’re not new around the blog you might remember that this year I have been completing a 15 credit hour online certificate from Bowling Green State University. I’m almost done (12 credit hours done… 3 to go) with my Assistive Technology Certificate. The perks to a certificate program are mainly the skill building in a specific area and ability to add it to your resume as one complete package. BGSU credits cost $424 per credit hour (at almost double most other options I listed here.) You can read more about the AT Certificate on a blog post I wrote over the summer. This coursework is by far the most time consuming because it’s an actual set of classes with weekly assignments rather than work-at-your-own-pace websites like all the other classes recommended here.
If you’re looking for more information about salaries in your state, your state education association is one of the best ways to get information. Here is the link to the Ohio Education Association.
If you’re a member of your schools education association/union, check and see if they provide any tuition reimbursement. My district’s education association provides a certain amount of money each semester to be given to staff working toward class change. I’ve been able to get a small amount back each semester.
Keep in mind, the horizontal axis on the salary schedule is one item often tossed around in union negotiations and might not always be available to you. Start working on that first +15 soon!
Please comment below if you have used other websites or online opportunities for salary advancement. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve taken.
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