The USA School-based OTs and PTs Looking for Change Coalition is group of passionate school OTps and PTs that are advocating for educational credentialing—this means that we want to be considered “teachers” just like social workers, psychologists, school counselors, etc. We are making gains in our advocacy efforts—please help us by joining our group:
One of my passion projects is to get educational credentialing for school OTps and PTs.
All the other related service providers have an educational credential, which means that they are issued “teaching certificates” in their roles as school counselor, speech language pathologist, social worker, or psychologist.
We all have similar roles and job duties as Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISPs). Today, there’s a minimum requirement of a Master’s Degree to enter the field. Physical therapists have an entry level requirement of a Doctorate!
Yet, OTps and PTs don’t have an educational credential, AKA a teaching certificate. This limits us from advancing to leadership positions because in order to apply to take the coursework to get your school admin degree, you’ve got to have experience “Teaching.” Our experience in the schools doesn’t count as “teaching”. But social workers, counselors, and psychologists time spent with students does count as “teaching.”
This is a blatant segregation of our professions. It places us in an inferior position because we are unable to advance to leadership roles. We aren’t offered a seat at the table to utilize our experiences and background knowledge to make decisions that affect the whole school community.
The trickle-down effect of not having any OTps or PTs at the leadership table is that we’re often not included in things. We are often hired differently, placed in different unions, or not even hired directly. This means different benefits, insurance, and retirement opportunities.
In the immediate, it often means that we don’t have adequate work space, a budget for supplies, or continuing education opportunities.
Educational Credentialing—How can it help?
Don’t forget to spread the word about our quest for educational credentialing. We are educators, and should be treated as such.
Please join our coalition for change:
USA School-based OTs & PTs Looking for Change.
Hi Jaime,
Yes, Yes, Yes! I agree with your entire talk. Although I do not have aspirations of advancing into a leadership position (I am not the born leader you clearly are), I do often feel like our expertise is not taken seriously when sitting at the table at an IEP meeting and I often feel like I have an identity crisis being an OT in the school system; am I a related service provider, a medical practitioner, am I supporting a goal or replacing what can’t be obtained outside of school, etc, etc.? I wish you well in your endeavor in fighting for equality for OT and PT in the school system. I just found you recently and I value all of your insight and expertise. I have also been an occupational therapist for many years (before a Master’s degree was required) but I am always looking to grow as a therapist and feel like I have found a new friend and colleague in Miss Jaime, O.T. to teach me something new!
Curious, would this allow for Occupational therapist to be case managers for students as well??
I recently started looking into this myself and was told that OTs along with SPED teachers, and Social Workers are qualified to sit for the exam for credentialing. I am may have been told wrong but this was coming straight from agency board who performs the certification testing. Not sure if there has to be actual case management experience or if the degree would all that would be required to sit for the exam.
Good morning, Jaime. I am writing to you from Anne Arundel County Public School System (AACPS) in Maryland. Thank you for all you are doing to spread the word and advocate on behalf of our profession.
Your timing is perfect as we (OT/PTs in AACPS) have just recently become our own affiliate group of TAAAC (Teacher’s Association of Anne Arundel County). This gives us some voting rights and allows a platform for our unique concerns to be heard.
Although you spoke of inequity and not being able to have a career ladder, I wanted to share with you what is happening specifically in AACPS for related service providers (OT/PTs). For starters, we are put in Unit 1, with teachers, school psychologists, SLP’s etc. Therefore, we get pay “Step” increases, a COLA % increase, benefits, retirement, etc. The majority of OT/PTs are 10-month employees; however, there are 4 of us who are “Base Leaders” who are 12-month employees. We act as the middle man between the 10 OTs we “supervise” and our direct boss, which brings me to the next topic. In AACPS, there is potential for OTs to advance to more formal leadership positions. For example, my immediate supervisor is an OT and she is now the Occupational Therapy & Physical Therapy Program Manager. So that’s great news, right?
Just thought I’d share what is happening with us in case you were interested. Love your site!! Keep doing what you’re doing;-)