School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist’s Job Satisfaction
Related to Caseload Size
Racheal Greenwald, BA: gree0527@d.umn.edu
Department of Communication Disorders & Sciences
University of Minnesota – Duluth
Duluth, MN 55812
Kent Brorson, Ph.D. (Faculty Advisor): kbrorson@d.umn.edu
Department of Communication Disorders & Sciences
University of Minnesota – Duluth
Duluth, MN 55812
The purpose of this study was to investigate American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) members’ job satisfaction working in a school setting based on their caseload size. Electronic mail surveys were sent to ASHA members from five regionally selected states. Survey questions focused on the ASHA member’s caseload size. It was proposed that this study would identify if caseload size had an effect on job satisfaction among ASHA members working in a school setting.
Many factors contribute to job satisfaction in the profession of speech-language pathology. One particular factor that appears to significantly influence job satisfaction is caseload size. Research by Fresko, Kfir, and Nasser (1997) as well as Wisniewski and Shewan (1987) has shown that individuals remain in their profession longer if they are satisfied with their job. These individuals will produce better quality of work, be more productive, report being successful, and encourage others to enter their field. On the other hand, individuals who are dissatisfied in their profession may cause their work environment to suffer by taking their unhappiness or poor attitudes out on those around them (Miller & Potter, 1982).
Participants: ASHA members working in a school setting. 415 surveys sent, 102 respondents, and 74 worked full-time in a school setting.
Selection:
Participants were randomly selected from a listing of ASHA members in
regionally selected states (Alabama, Minnesota, Oregon, Vermont, and
Wisconsin).
Criteria:
Participants had at least their Master’s degree or higher,
certified in the field of speech-language pathology, and email access.
Survey: All
participants completed an Internet survey, created using Perseus Survey
Solutions for the web, a software program for design and distribution of
Internet surveys. Using 17
forced-response questions and 2 open-ended questions about positive and
negative factors in job satisfaction.
The survey gathered information about the speech-language
pathologists’ caseload size and job satisfaction.
Data: The
data was examined to determine the relationship between caseload size and job
satisfaction.
|
CASELOAD
SIZE |
AL
|
MN
|
OR
|
VT
|
WI
|
|
0-15 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
|
16-30 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
31-45 |
4 |
12 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
|
46-60 |
5 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
|
61-75 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
76-90 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
91-105 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
121+ |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total
Number of Responses: |
16 |
16 |
15 |
11 |
16 |
* MN, VT, and WI all have average size caseloads with 46-60 being the largest.
* OR reports caseloads up to 105.
* The largest caseload was reported in AL with 121+.
The participants were asked the following questions concerning their job satisfaction derived from the Marketing Scales Handbook (1996). The results are as follows:
QUESTION
#1: GENERALLY SPEAKING I AM VERY SATISFIED WITH THIS JOB.
|
CASELOAD SIZE |
DISAGREE |
NEUTRAL |
AGREE |
|
0-30 |
12% |
0% |
88% |
|
31-45 |
12% |
0% |
88% |
|
46-60 |
17% |
5% |
78% |
|
61+ |
38% |
8% |
54% |
QUESTION
#2: I FREQUENTLY THINK OF QUITTING THIS JOB.
|
CASELOAD SIZE |
DISAGREE |
NEUTRAL |
AGREE |
|
0-30 |
63% |
19% |
19% |
|
31-45 |
52% |
24% |
24% |
|
46-60 |
67% |
0% |
33% |
|
61+ |
46% |
8% |
46% |
QUESTION
#3: I AM GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE KIND OF WORK I DO IN THIS JOB.
|
CASELOAD SIZE |
DISAGREE |
NEUTRAL |
AGREE |
|
0-30 |
6% |
0% |
94% |
|
31-45 |
4% |
0% |
96% |
|
46-60 |
12% |
0% |
88% |
|
61+ |
38% |
0% |
62% |
QUESTION
#4: MOST PEOPLE ON THIS JOB ARE VERY SATISFIED WITH THE JOB.
|
CASELOAD SIZE |
DISAGREE |
NEUTRAL |
AGREE |
|
0-30 |
7% |
13% |
80% |
|
31-45 |
24% |
24% |
52% |
|
46-60 |
16% |
21% |
63% |
|
61+ |
23% |
8% |
69% |
QUESTION
#5: PEOPLE ON THIS JOB OFTEN THINK OF QUITTING.
|
CASELOAD SIZE |
DISAGREE |
NEUTRAL |
AGREE |
|
0-30 |
44% |
31% |
25% |
|
31-45 |
17% |
30% |
52% |
|
46-60 |
28% |
28% |
44% |
|
61+ |
23% |
8% |
69% |
Positive Factors (from all respondents):
1. Co-workers (44)
2. Students/Children (42)
3. Making a positive difference to the students/children (28)
4. Benefits/vacations/hours (20)
5. Contact with parents (16)
6. Supportive administration (13)
7. Small caseload size (9)
Negative Factors (from all respondents):
1. Paperwork (78)
2. Lack of planning time (26)
3. Large caseloads (23)
4. Non-supportive administration (20)
5. Lack of funding (18)
6. Lack of parental involvement (14)
7. Politics (9)
8. Salary (8)
v Speech-language pathologists are satisfied with their job even if they have a large caseload.
v Based on the data above, the larger the caseload size, the lower the job satisfaction.
v Overall more satisfied than unsatisfied.
v Paperwork is the number one determining factor in dissatisfaction with job.
REFERENCES
Fresko, B., Kfir, D., &
Nasser, F. (1997). Predicting teacher commitment. Teaching and Teacher Education, 4,
429-438.
Gorp, F. (Ed.). (1996). Marketing Scales Handbook. Chicago: American Marketing
Association.
Miller, M.M. & Potter,
R.E. (1982). Professional burnout among
speech-language pathologists. ASHA,
24, 177-181.
Perseus Survey Solutions for
the web. (1997). Braintree, MA: Perseus Development
Corporation.
Wisniewski, A.T. & Shewan,
C.M. (1987). There is joy in Mudville career
satisfaction. ASHA, 20, pp. 30-31.