Speak Out August 2019 Digital Edition

Association news

University Accreditation Update

Applications sought International Journal of Speech Language Pathology (IJSLP) Co-Editor Position Commencing January 2020 (with handover period from November 2019) Following six years as Editor/Co-Editor of the International Journal of Speech Language Pathology (IJSLP), Professor Kirrie Ballard will be concluding her term in December 2019. Speech Pathology Australia is now seeking Co-Editor applications from suitable candidates for a three-year term. This valuable and strategic role will continue to enhance the growth and international positioning of the Association’s journal. Working closely with the IJSLP Editor-in-Chief, Anne Whitworth (as of January 2020), Associate Editors and Executive Board, Speech Pathology Australia’s Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer and external publishers, the Co-Editor will assist in overseeing the direction, standard and promotion of the journal as well as ensuring high quality issues are published in accordance with policies and timelines. Applications are sought from members who have demonstrated experience and a passion for research and publications. The candidate should have achieved a higher degree, hold a rank of Associate Professor or above, experience and demonstrated skill in editing and writing, a track record of publishing research in international journals, and an understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Previous experience in editing academic publications or being a member of journal editorial boards is highly desirable. An honorarium is paid to the Co-Editor (or employer if required) on an annual basis. A position description is available and applications (comprising a cover letter addressing the selection criteria, a current CV and two professional referees) are to be forwarded to the Chief Executive Officer via execassist@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au by COB Friday 27 September 2019. Enquiries can be made to the current IJSLP Editors, Professor Kirrie Ballard, via ijslp.editor@sydney.edu.au and Associate Professor Anne Whitworth, via ijslp.editor@curtin.edu.au or to Gail Mulcair, Chief Executive Officer, via gmulcair@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au .

University accreditation is a cyclical process. It requires universities to provide evidence against the Speech Pathology Australia accreditation

ACTIVITY Timelines A timeline for the submissionof documentation andapproximate site visit date is determined betweenSpeechPathologyAustralia and theUniversity.The schedule anddue dates for document submission and site visitare detailed below andnoted inFigures 1-3. Previously accreditedprograms The site visit for accreditations of programswhich have previously beenaccreditedwill typically be in the firsthalfof acalendar year. • Documentation shouldbe received atSPANationalOffice by 30September the previous year for programsbeing visited in January-March. • Documentation shouldbe received atSPANationalOffice by 30November the previous year for programsbeing visited inApril-July. Newprograms The site visit for accreditations of qualifyingprogramswill typicallybe in the secondhalfof the calendar year , in the yearPRIOR to the first cohortgraduating. Documentation should be receivedatSPANationalOfficeby30April in the yearof the site visit. Allprograms • Theaccreditation panel isagreed and appointed. • All panelmembers sign the confidentiality agreement (seePartC). Yearsprior to enrolments **Note:Programswithmid-year intake should contactSPA to discuss alternative timelines PreviousYearsJan March AnnualReportDue Jan 31 Reportdue if formally in Qualifyingphase University contactsSPA regarding thenew program as soon as possible following Program approval University andSPA negotiatea date for the site visit the following year

Feb Accreditationof SpeechPathology Degree programs PartA Background andProcesses April June July Aug Sept Oct Nov

May • The accreditationpanelpresents their recommendations regarding theAccreditation Classification toSpeechPathologyAustralia, through theBoardManagementGroup, ina written report. • TheBoardManagementGroup ofSpeechPathologyAustralia ratifies theaccreditation panel’s recommendations to either grant fullaccreditation, to grant provisional/conditional accreditation,or not to grant accreditation providing that it is satisfied that due process, consistentwith the stated accreditation procedures hasbeen followed. • SPAnotifies theuniversity of the ratified outcome of accreditation, through the final evaluation report. Dec Jan Feb March April May June July Year1ofProgram from thewritten documentation and the site visit. • Adraft final report isprepared and sent to the university for confirmation of factual accuracy. • The university responds to the draft report • SpeechPathologyAustraliamay request a final ‘clean’electronic copy of the documentation that incorporates all changesmade during theaccreditation processand uponwhich the accreditation panelwill base its recommendation.

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Figure 1:Exampleof timeline for anew Master’sprogram

Year2ofProgram

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standards, which is evaluated by Speech Pathology Australia Accreditors (SPAAs). Speech Pathology Australia grants accreditation to speech pathology programs that meet the prescribed accreditation standards. The standards comprise the Competency Based Occupational Standards (CBOS) and the Core Standards, which include criteria relating to Governance, Students and Curriculum. The Accreditation of Speech Pathology Programs document is 12 SpeechPathologyAustralia 2019 -Accreditation ofSpeechPathologyDegreeProgramsPARTA University preparesAccreditation Documentation Students enrol in 2 yearGEMprogram Panel determined, confidentiality agreements signed University sends accreditation documents to SPA byApril 30 AccreditationPanel receives and evaluates documents InitialEvaluation report sent to university/additional docs requested/received bySPA Site visit occurs (Sept orOct ) Panel prepareDraftReportwithin 4weeks of all post site visit documentation and requests being received byAccreditation Panel University receiveDraftReport and respond reaccuracy (within 2weeks of receipt) SPABoard review/ratify recommendation University receives final reportwith accreditation classification and any conditions noted IfUniversitywishes toAppeal decision, see *Appeals timeline University addresses any conditions Students graduatewith eligibility for membership ofSPA ifProgram hasmet accreditation standards SpeechPathologyAustralia 2019 -AccreditationofSpeechPathologyDegreeProgramsPARTA 11 • Theuniversity prepares their accreditationdocumentation.Universities should liaisewith a member of theProfessionalStandardsTeam atSPAanduse the accreditationof speech pathology degreeprograms document throughout the preparation phase. • Theuniversity submits theiraccreditation documentatin by theagreed submission date. • Theaccreditation panel reviews andevaluates the documentation. • Following review of the documentation, the panelprovidean initialevaluation report to the universityand requests further information (if required)and themeans and timelines by which this information shouldbeprovided. • Theaccreditation panel conducts a site visit to review theprogramwithin the university context.Throughdialogue, interviewand observation, thepanel triangulate the evidence • Eachprogramprovides an annual report toSpeechPathologyAustralia aspreviously described.Continued accreditation is dependent onSpeechPathologyAustralia’s review andacceptance of each program’s compliancewith the accreditation standards. • programsare tobe re-accreditedwithin five years unless otherwisedeterminedbySpeech PathologyAustralia. • Ifaccreditation is not granted, or conditionalaccreditation is awarded, the universitymay appeal the decision.

divided into three separate parts: Part A - Background and Processes Part B - Reporting Requirements and Core Standards Part C - Documents and Templates

Speech Pathology Australia appointed 16 SPAAs for the 2019-2021 term. Fourteen SPAAs attended an accreditor training forum in June, which included a presentation by the Accreditation Manager of the Australian Dental Council, as well as presentations by Dr Anne Hill and Associate Professor Sally Hewat. SPAA training forums are held annually, in addition to three video- conferenced meetings each year. A training forum for nominated university staff was held on 24 July 2019. This is an annual event and serves to ensure all Australian universities offering speech pathology programs have an opportunity to liaise face-to-face with Speech Pathology Australia staff regarding accreditation, and to discuss content with like-minded colleagues. Members with queries related to the CBOS review or accreditation should direct these to Simone Arnott, the Association’s Senior Advisor Professional Standards sarnott@speechpathologyaustralia. org.au . Revised university accreditation information and documentation is now publicly available from the Association’s website: www. speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/accreditation

Stephanie Ashworth recently joined the Professional Standards team at Speech Pathology Australia, providing administrative support for the unit in the areas of university accreditation, professional recognition, clinical guidelines and strategic projects. Steph has over 12 years’ experience in administration, having previously worked as an executive/board assistant and also in the areas of professional accreditation, continuing professional development, editing and publishing, for a not-for-profit member based association in the resources sector.

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August 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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