The VISSPA was developed to identify the total workload time needed to complete a caseload for individuals who work with students with visual impairments: teachers of students with visual impairments (TVI/TSVI), orientation and mobility specialists, and teachers of students who are deafblind (TDB/TSDB); collectively referred to as VI professionals.
A caseload for a VI professional is identified by determining the type and amount of itinerant instruction, both direct services and collaborative consultation services, through evaluation and the use of a tool such as the VISSIT. However, this caseload time does not reflect the total time needed to address all the duties performed by the VI professional. The VISSPA identifies the workload time required to effectively fulfill all components of the roles and responsibilities of VI professionals as they address their caseload.
The VISSPA can be used by VI professionals to show how much of their time is spent outside of direct and collaborative consultation. It can be used by administrators to identify the need for additional staff, redistribute caseloads, modify workload duties, identify alternative support where needed, and better understand the role of the VI professionals. Refer to Workload Adjustments for more information.
Acknowledgments
Members of the Workload Analysis Subcommittee of the Texas Action Committee for the Education of Students with Visual Impairments who developed the VISSPA include:
- Rona Pogrund, Texas Tech University, Chair
- Chrissy Cowan, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Outreach
- Shannon Darst, formerly with Stephen F. Austin State University
- Christy Householter, Region 10 ESC (Retired)
- Beth Jones, East Texas A&M University
- Twinkle Morgan, Region 1 ESC (Retired)
- Michael Munro, Stephen F. Austin State University and Region 6 ESC
- Cecilia Robinson, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Outreach
- Mary Shore, formerly with Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Outreach
- Christopher Tabb, formerly with Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Outreach
- Stephanie Walker, formerly with Region 11 ESC/Texas Sensory Support Network
Logo Concept and Design: Ben Pogrund
Electronic Scale: Stephanie Walker
Website: Allison Kemp, Chrissy Cowan, Cecilia Robinson
Doctoral Student Research Assistant: Laura Cabrera-Garcia