Influences on Early Intervention Speech-Language Pathologists' Beliefs, Knowledge, and Practices for Assessing Dual Language Learners.

There are identifiable gaps between speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) beliefs and their implementation of best practices for dual language learners (DLLs). In the present study, we examined how early intervention (EI) SLPs' backgrounds, experiences, and practice settings influenced their beliefs, knowledge, and use of best practices when assessing DLLs. A survey of 134 EI SLPs was used to examine their assessment procedures for a DLL case scenario, beliefs about assessment practices, and knowledge of cultural and linguistic influences on DLLs' language development. Participants also provided information about their backgrounds and practice settings. Statistical analyses explored relationships between these factors and variables such as years since graduation, sociolinguistic context of practice setting, and continuing education on DLL assessment knowledge and practices. Results showed gaps between beliefs and practices and deficits in knowledge about cultural and linguistic influences on DLLs. Knowledge was negatively correlated with time since graduation and positively correlated with the proportion of DLLs on caseloads. SLPs in linguistically diverse areas had higher knowledge scores, while best practice use was tied to the percentage of DLLs on caseloads. Continued education, removal of barriers, and support are crucial, particularly for EI SLPs in less diverse contexts or with more time since graduation.