I highly recommend the use of SLPAs in providing services to students with Speech or Language Impairments. I agree that regulations should be in place and they must be supervised by licensed speech/language therapists.  Living in far southwest Virginia, we do not have access to universities that offer a master's degree in speech-language pathlogy.  We have several people who have completed the bachelor's degree in speech and communication sciences but are unable to get accepted into a master's program---on campus OR online.  We do not have enough speech therapists to cover the number of students with speech-language impairments so we are forced to overload the few therapists that we have and that does not create a good work environment for them or a good learning environment for our students!  An SLPA can certainly be qualified to carry out the instructions of the SLP and provide much needed practive in speech articulation and social skills training based on the students needs and recommendations of the therapist.  We certainly want our students to get the best services we can offer; however, our need is so great and the staff is so small!  I believe our students would greatly benefit from the services of a qualified SLPA and we would be much more likely to fill those positions than SLP positions at this time.  I strongly encourage you to consider helping the small rural communities and the children with disabilities that we serve.