IDEA Part B: Missed Sessions

What IDEA Says

How to make up missed sessions for speech-language services has been a frequent question from members. However, the IDEA Part B Regulations do not address this issue. ASHA wrote to Alexa Posny, Director, Office of Special Education Services (OSEP), U.S. Department of Education (ED), asking for guidance "...on the need to use substitutes and to schedule make-up sessions when speech-language pathology sessions are missed." As a follow-up to previous discussions with ED on this issue, clarification was requested on how to handle sessions that are missed "due to the child's absence from school, cancellation for a class or school activity, such as a field trip or an assembly, or absence of the SLP due to illness or family emergencies."

In the response to ASHA [PDF], ED confirmed that IDEA and the regulations do not address this issue. It noted that "states and local education agencies (LEAs) are required to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them free appropriate public education (FAPE), consistent with the child's individualized education program (IEP) (see 34CFR §300.101)." ED encourages "public agencies to consider the impact of a provider's absence or a child's absence on the child's progress and performance and to determine how to ensure the continued provision of FAPE [free appropriate public education] in order for the child to continue to progress and meet the annual goals of their IEP [individualized education program]. Whether an interruption of services constitutes a denial of FAPE is an individual determination that must be made on a case-by-case basis."

Implications for ASHA Members

States and districts should not be establishing a general policy for making up missed sessions, nor establishing a specific number of sessions that constitutes denial of FAPE. Each child's IEP team must consider the impact of the missed sessions on the child's progress and performance and determine whether the interruption of services constitutes a denial of FAPE. In a situation where it is determined that missed sessions have resulted in a denial of FAPE (e.g., extended absences), school districts should be responsible for obtaining qualified professionals to provide the make-up services for these students. It should not be the responsibility of the speech-language pathologist (SLP) to find their own substitute. These services could be provided before or after school, or during vacations or summer recess. Although the request for guidance on this issue was about SLPs, the guidance provided by ED can be applied to any service, including audiology and other related services.

What ASHA Members Can Do

When administrators insist that SLPs make up sessions, SLPs should check their employment agreement regarding these matters. Furthermore, there are other options for districts to obtain qualified providers for missed services through contracted agencies and summer employment. Schools may also consider maintaining a pool or list of qualified substitutes. ASHA members who are addressing the issue of missed services are encouraged to share ED's letter of clarification with their administrators and to request a meeting with the IEP team when the SLP feels that a substitute is needed.