New Survey of 255 School-Based Therapists Reveals Rising Caseloads and Hidden Workload Threatening Student Access to Federally Mandated Services

Kelly Pediatric Therapy, a division of Kelly Education (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB), released a white paper, The Hidden Workload Behind School-Based Pediatric Therapy, based on a survey of 255 school-based pediatric therapists across the United States.

Rhea-AI Summary

Kelly Pediatric Therapy, a division of Kelly Education (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB), released a white paper, The Hidden Workload Behind School-Based Pediatric Therapy, based on a survey of 255 school-based pediatric therapists across the United States.

The survey highlights rising caseloads, understaffing and growing administrative work. 71% of therapists report caseload growth in the past two years, and 77% say student progress has been affected by understaffing or unmanageable caseloads. 68% spend six or more hours weekly on documentation and IEPs outside contracted hours, while 64% see increasing complexity in student needs, especially mental health and anxiety. Despite this, 87% feel at least somewhat supported by districts and nearly 90% remain somewhat optimistic about school-based practice as a long-term career.

Argus Aug 13 session

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News Market Reaction – KELYB

On Aug 13, the day this news came out, KELYB closed 3.82% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Aug 13 session.

Key Figures

Survey respondents: 255 therapists Caseload growth: 71% Significant caseload growth: 24% +5 more

Survey respondents

255 therapists

U.S. school-based pediatric therapy survey

Caseload growth

71%

therapists reporting growth in the past two years

Significant caseload growth

24%

therapists describing growth as significant

Student progress affected

77%

therapists citing understaffing or unmanageable caseloads

Frequent student impact

39%

therapists reporting impact frequently or always

Uncontracted documentation

6+ hours per week

therapists spending time outside contracted school hours

Increasing student-needs complexity

64%

therapists reporting increased complexity over three years

District preparedness concern

57%

therapists saying districts are inadequately prepared or too slow

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Aug 06

5 events

1. Aug 06

   2Q26 earnings report

   24h Move

   +3.0%

   Revenue fell 5.8% year over year while 2026 outlook was raised.

2. Jul 06

   Leadership appointment

   24h Move

   +4.5%

   Alan Stukalsky joined as chief product and technology officer effective July 13.

3. May 28

   Investor conferences

   24h Move

   +12.1%

   Kelly announced participation in three June investor conferences.

4. May 21

   Industry recognition

   24h Move

   +7.0%

   KellyOCG ranked No. 1 overall in HRO Today's MSP satisfaction ratings.

5. May 19

   Industry recognition

   24h Move

   +9.9%

   Kelly ranked No. 2 on Forbes temporary staffing and professional recruiting lists.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists

3 terms

speech-language pathologists medical

"The survey included speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists"

Speech-language pathologists are licensed clinicians who evaluate and treat problems with speaking, understanding language, voice, fluency (stuttering) and swallowing—think of them as coaches and therapists who help people regain everyday communication and safe eating. Investors care because demand for their services, the therapies and devices they use, and reimbursement rules affect revenue for healthcare providers, rehabilitation chains, telehealth platforms and medical-device makers tied to communication and swallowing care.

occupational therapists medical

"The survey included speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists"

Healthcare professionals who help people regain, develop, or maintain the skills needed for daily life and work after illness, injury, disability, or age-related decline. Think of them as practical coaches who assess a person’s abilities, prescribe therapies, adaptive tools, or environmental changes, and coordinate with medical teams; their role matters to investors because demand, reimbursement rules, staffing levels, and regulatory changes can affect healthcare provider revenues and service costs.

physical therapists medical

"The survey included speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists"

Healthcare professionals who diagnose movement problems, design exercise- and hands-on treatment plans, and help people regain strength, mobility, and function after injury, surgery, illness, or chronic conditions. Think of them as mechanics for the body: their work affects patient recovery times, demand for clinics and therapy services, and spending on medical devices and outpatient care, so changes in their workforce, reimbursement, or service volumes can influence healthcare companies’ revenues and costs.

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71% of Therapists Report Caseload Growth in the Past Two Years; 77% Have Seen Student Progress Affected by Understaffing

TROY, Mich., Aug. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kelly Pediatric Therapy, a division of Kelly Education, today released The Hidden Workload Behind School-Based Pediatric Therapy, a new white paper based on original survey data from 255 school-based pediatric therapists across the United States. The findings document a profession under growing strain. Rising caseloads and the administrative work that follows therapists home are creating sustained pressure on both therapist sustainability and student outcomes.

Among the key findings:

• 71% of therapists report their caseloads have grown in the past two years, with 24% describing that growth as significant.
• 77% of therapists have seen student progress affected by understaffing or unmanageable caseloads, with 39% saying this happens frequently or always.
• 68% of therapists spend six or more hours per week on documentation and IEP management outside contracted school hours.
• 64% say the complexity of student needs has increased over the past three years, with mental health and anxiety-related needs rising fastest.
• 57% of therapists believe school districts are not adequately prepared or are moving too slowly to address the coming therapist shortage.
  

“School-based therapists are delivering federally mandated services inside systems that weren’t designed for clinical care,” said Cheryl Haibach, Vice President and Practice Lead of Kelly Pediatric Therapy. “What the data shows is that the caseload pressure and administrative demands those therapists are absorbing have reached the students depending on those services. This is happening now, and the districts investing in therapist retention and caseload structure are going to see the difference in student outcomes and service continuity.”

The survey included speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school psychologists, and behavioral therapists working across public, private, and charter schools in all regions of the United States. Respondents represented both direct-hire and contracted employment arrangements.

Eighty-seven percent of therapists say they feel at least somewhat supported by their districts, and nearly 90% remain at least somewhat optimistic about school-based practice as a long-term career. When asked what would most help them stay, therapists consistently ranked better therapy tools and spaces and manageable caseloads above compensation.

The full white paper is available here.

About Kelly Pediatric Therapy
Kelly Pediatric Therapy delivers transformative pediatric therapeutic services across schools, early intervention programs, and outpatient centers. Founded in 1998 as Pediatric Therapeutic Services and acquired by Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) in 2022, Kelly Pediatric Therapy connects children with experienced, caring therapists across occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral health. Learn more at kellypediatrictherapy.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Media Contact:
Danielle Nixon
Director of Public Relations, Kelly Education
danielle.nixon@kellyservices.com | 816.737.8414

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Kelly Pediatric Therapy’s 2026 survey reveal about school-based therapist caseloads for KELYA-related services?

The survey found 71% of school-based pediatric therapists reported caseload growth in the past two years. According to Kelly Pediatric Therapy, 24% described this growth as significant, indicating increasing pressure on therapists delivering services in districts connected to providers like Kelly Education (KELYA, KELYB).

How is understaffing affecting student progress according to Kelly Pediatric Therapy’s white paper tied to KELYA?

According to Kelly Pediatric Therapy, 77% of therapists have seen student progress affected by understaffing or unmanageable caseloads. The survey also reports 39% say this impact occurs frequently or always, underscoring risks to student outcomes in school-based therapy settings linked with providers such as Kelly Education.

What workload do school-based therapists report outside contracted hours in Kelly Pediatric Therapy’s 2026 study?

The study reports 68% of therapists spend six or more hours per week on documentation and IEP management outside contracted school hours. According to Kelly Pediatric Therapy, this hidden workload adds sustained pressure on therapist sustainability while they deliver federally mandated services in school environments.

How are student needs changing in Kelly Pediatric Therapy’s survey associated with Kelly Education (KELYA)?

According to Kelly Pediatric Therapy, 64% of therapists say the complexity of student needs has increased over the past three years. Respondents indicated mental health and anxiety-related needs are rising fastest, intensifying clinical demands within school-based therapy programs supported by organizations like Kelly Education.

What does Kelly Pediatric Therapy’s survey say about district preparedness for a therapist shortage affecting KELYA’s markets?

The survey shows 57% of therapists believe school districts are not adequately prepared or are moving too slowly to address a coming therapist shortage. According to Kelly Pediatric Therapy, this perceived lag raises concerns about future access to federally mandated school-based therapy services.

Are school-based therapists still optimistic about their careers in Kelly Pediatric Therapy’s 2026 report?

Yes, nearly 90% of surveyed therapists remain at least somewhat optimistic about school-based practice as a long-term career. According to Kelly Pediatric Therapy, 87% also feel at least somewhat supported by their districts, despite pressures from caseload growth and expanding administrative responsibilities.