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From Reactive to Ready: Back to School Systems for SLPs

This course equipped school-based speech-language pathologists to differentiate proactive and reactive practice workflows, analyze system-level changes at national, state, district, and individual levels, and apply a self-assessment framework to identify gaps and implement targeted system improvements heading into the 2026–27 school year.

Explore Course

SLP Summit Sponsor On-Demand Course - available upon registration through Aug. 15, 2026.

Thoughts and prayers are not going to get you set up for success in 2026–27. The landscape school-based speech language pathologists are working in right now is real — policy shifts, compliance pressure, district changes that show up without warning — and the SLPs who weather it best aren't the ones who work harder. They're the ones who work with better systems.

This course is your reset. In 90 minutes, you'll take an honest look at where your practice stands, understand what's actually happening at the national, state, and district level that affects your work, and leave with a clear-eyed plan for the year ahead.

No gotchas. No overwhelm. Just a practical, peer-to-peer conversation designed to help you walk into 2026–27 feeling ready, not reactive. This course is for the SLP who cares deeply, works hard, and is ready to stop catching up and start staying ahead.

SLP Summit Event Page

Presenters

Lisa Kathman
M.S. CCC-SLP
Lisa Kathman, MS, CCC-SLP, is an SLP turned tech founder and co-founder of SLP Toolkit and Bright Ideas Media. With experience spanning early intervention through middle school in the U.S.V.I., CA, and AZ, Lisa brings real-world insight to everything she builds. A former lead SLP, she now supports SLPs nationwide with tools, training, and strategies that make school life easier.
Patricia Johnson
MA, CCC-SLP
Patricia Johnson, MA, CCC-SLP, is an SLP and member of the SLP Toolkit team. She supports SLPs nationwide through practical training and resources designed to simplify their work. She's passionate about empowering SLPs and has mentored numerous graduate students and clinical fellows in developing their clinical skills.

Learning Objectives

Differentiate between proactive and reactive workflows in school-based speech-language pathology practice.
Analyze real-world scenarios across national, state, district, and individual levels to identify the impact of system-level changes on service delivery and compliance.
Apply a self-assessment framework to evaluate current systems and implement targeted changes to support proactive service delivery.

Agenda

6 minutes	Welcome and session overview
10 minutes	Understanding Proactive vs Reactive Practice
26 minutes	Navigating Changes at the Local, State and National Levels
45 minutes	Self-Assessment and System Shifts
3 minutes	Wrap-Up + Key Takeaways - Summit survey with questions

Disclosures

Financial:	Lisa Kathman is a co-founder of SLP Toolkit and Bright Ideas Media. She receives a salary and has ownership interest in both companies. SLP Toolkit will be mentioned during this course as an examples of a digital tools used to streamline various systems. Patricia Johnson is an employee of SLP Toolkit and receives a salary. SLP Toolkit will be mentioned during this course as an examples of a digital tools used to streamline various systems.
Non-Financial:	Lisa Kathman has no non-financial disclosures to report. Patricia Johnson is the Vice President of Early Intervention and School-Based Issues for the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA).
Content:	This course will include references to SLP Toolkit an example of software to use to streamline various school-SLP workflows. This product is developed by the presenters' employer. No other related SLP software products will be suggested.

ASHA

This course is offered for .15 ASHA CEUs, Introductory Level, Professional Area

To earn ASHA CEUs you must complete the courses by viewing them, provide course feedback, pass the exams with a score of 80 or more, provide your ASHA credentials, and confirm submission.

SLP Summit Registration - July '26: FREE!
Get access to all 6 live courses (July 27-29, 2026) and their replays. You'll also get two on-demand courses available upon registration (1 hr & 1.5 hr courses). All courses will be available through Aug. 15, 2026.

Add-ons

Summit ASHA Opt In - July '26

$29.99

This add on includes submittal of your participation to the ASHA registry for the 6 live and 2 on demand SLP Summit courses. You must opt-in and add your ASHA credentials after completing all course steps for EACH course by the end of the day Eastern Time 8/15/26.

The Interconnection Between Feeding and Language Development Active - SLP Summit Deal!

$9.00

Get this course for $9 for our 9th year of SLP Summit when you register for the event! This course examines the interconnection between feeding and language development, highlighting how early sensory, motor, and social experiences during feeding lay the groundwork for communication. Includes access to the recorded course and optional ASHA reporting.

Strengths-Based Approach to Intervention Bundle - SLP Summit Deal!

$9.00

Get this mini-series for $9 for our 9th year of SLP Summit when you register for the event! Includes three 30-minute courses. Discover how a strengths-based, child-led approach can shape assessment, intervention, and carryover in speech therapy. This three-part mini series includes practical strategies that help clinicians build on what students already do well while supporting meaningful communication growth. Includes access to 3 recorded courses and optional ASHA reporting for each.

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