PT COUNTS

Study of the Relationship of Student Outcomes to School-Based Physical Therapy Services

PT COUNTS is funded by the US Department of Education, Institute on Education Science funded (R324A110204, 2011-2014). It is a nationwide study of the relationship of student outcomes to the provision of school-based physical therapy. This multi-site observational study will describe accurately the outcomes that students achieve when receiving physical therapy within schools and the relationship of the physical therapy intervention to those outcomes. Knowing relationships between student outcomes and physical therapy intervention, as currently provided in schools, will influence physical therapy practice, future research, and professional development. Our research objectives are to describe the changes in students' participation in school activity, self-care, posture and mobility, and recreation and fitness outcomes and the relationships of these changes to identified characteristics of school-based physical therapy intervention, including service delivery models, activities, procedures, and dosage. The 2011 to 2012 school years marks the beginning of recruitment of physical therapists and students. Data collection will being in the fall 2012.