Back to Normal or New Reality? How the COVID-19 Pandemic Continues to Influence School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists at the Start of the 2023–2024 School Year

Abstract

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic was a far-reaching disruptor in K–12 education beginning in the spring of 2020 when nearly all schools pivoted to remote instruction. Although the pandemic was officially declared over by the World Health Organization in May 2023, many questions remain about the long-term impact of the pandemic on K–12 education. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the continued impact of the pandemic among school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) at the onset of the 2023–2024 school year. Method: This study involved a survey of 193 school-based SLPs between September and December 2023. The results of the survey were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively to identify key themes and trends related to how the pandemic influences both their direct work with students and how they approach and reflect on their own careers. Multiple efforts were made to ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of the analysis. Results: This survey found that although many SLPs in public schools have largely returned to prepandemic practices, most perceived that the pandemic continues to influence their work in key ways. Specifically, survey responses highlighted the altered needs of students (e.g., social–emotional needs and academic gaps) as well as changes to how SLPs reflect on their careers as professionals serving communities. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that although the most obvious effects of the pandemic are no longer visible in schools (e.g., masking, distancing, relying on virtual services), the pandemic continues to make the work of school-based SLPs more challenging as they navigate the disconnect between the postpandemic demands of their work and prepandemic expectations, policies, and regulations.