Listening to Administrators: Learning about AT decisions and priorities ATIA Conference, 1/31/09 S1706 – Boca IV National Center for Technology Innovation Cynthia Overton Ph.D. www.NationalTechCenter.org
Nov 15, 2014
Listening to Administrators: Learning about AT decisions and priorities
ATIA Conference, 1/31/09S1706 – Boca IV
National Center for Technology InnovationCynthia Overton Ph.D.www.NationalTechCenter.org
NCTI: Fostering Collaboration
NCTI seeks to broaden and enrich the field by providing resources and promoting partnerships for the development of tools and applications by developers, manufacturers, producers, publishers and researchers.
Objectives: To cultivate a collaborative network To promote innovative
products that reach the marketplace To analyze needs, issues, trends, and promising technology innovation and transfer approaches
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AbleNet, Inc.
AbleNet provides solutions for classrooms and districts that help students with severe/profound to moderate disabilities achieve. Solutions:• K-12 curriculums that have evidence based research to
support implementation and progress monitoring• Assistive technology that allows all students to
participate in aligned curricular instruction and daily school activities
• Professional development supports that help create successful and engaging classroom experiences
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http://www.ablenetinc.com/
Insert AbleNet Slide here
Collaborative
Research to Practice
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Listening to Administrators
AbleNet leaders listened to over 50 administrators from various positions
Listened for priorities regarding assuring improvement for students with severe and moderate disabilities and acquiring assistive and learning technologies
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Approach and Findings
NCTI analyzed interview data to identify common themes and concerns
NCTI produced recommendations to inform decisions by• industry leaders (marketing) • administrators (purchasing) • consumers
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Outreach and Products from the Collaboration
Consumer Guides – Practical guide to inform education administrators’ decision making process; Inform vendors on administrators’ key concerns and vocabulary
Webinars – Disseminate information and engage in further discussion with vendors and administrators
ATOB Article – “Understanding Consumer Needs through Market Research” describes this market research collaboration
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AbleNet asked:
What keeps you up at night?
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District Superintendents Answered:
Student progress (AYP)
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District Superintendents Answered
Student progress (AYP) Student safety
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District Superintendents Answered
Student progress (AYP) Student safety Special education
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District Superintendents Answered
Student progress (AYP) Student safety Special education Facilities (budget, maintenance, adequacy)
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District Superintendents Answered
Student progress (AYP) Student safety Special education Facilities (budget, maintenance, adequacy) Language minority students
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Special Education Directors Answered
Special education students’ progress (AYP)
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Special Education Directors Answered
Special education students’ progress (AYP) Trend toward more involved needs (rise in autism,
health needs)
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Special Education Directors Answered
Special education students’ progress (AYP) Trend toward more involved needs (rise in autism,
health needs) IDEA regulations and budgets: AT, IEP compliance,
What’s the budget?
“The biggest disappointment is investment in AT that never gets used.”
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Special Education Directors Answered
Special education students’ progress (AYP) Trend toward more involved needs (rise in autism,
health needs) IDEA regulations and budgets: AT, IEP compliance,
What’s the budget? “The biggest disappointment is investment in AT that
never gets used.” Facilities (budget, maintenance,
adequacy)
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Special Education Directors Answered
AYP (by special education students) Trend toward more involved needs (rise in autism,
health needs) IDEA regulations and budgets: AT, IEP compliance,
What’s the budget? “The biggest disappointment is investment in AT that
never gets used.” Facilities (budget, maintenance,
adequacy) RTI – what will it mean for training and
systems already in place
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State AT Coordinators Answered
Deep utilization of technology
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State AT Coordinators Answered
Deep utilization of technology Collaboration in schools and communities
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State AT Coordinators Answered
Deep utilization of technology Collaboration in schools and communities Access to and mastery of general curriculum and
standards
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State AT Coordinators Answered
Deep utilization of technology Collaboration in schools and communities Access to and mastery of general curriculum and
standards Teacher turnover and continued training needs
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State AT Coordinators Answered
Deep utilization of technology Collaboration in schools and communities Access to and mastery of general curriculum and
standards Teacher turnover and continued training needs Getting data that can inform decision making
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Overlapping Concerns Different Perspectives
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Overlapping Concerns
AYP Facilities
Special educationData
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Different Perspectives
People in different positions had different perspectives on the issues, in an increasingly granular focus.
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Different Perspectives
From a Superintendent:
“Data is a challenge: what is it telling me? How does it inform me? How can I make corrections earlier in the school year?”
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Different Perspectives
From a Statewide AT Director:
“Helping teachers become better teachers is critical and hard to maintain with turnover in teaching staff.”
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Different Perspectives
From a Special Education Director
“[I] am increasingly concerned with how the special education students are meeting general education requirements…”
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Different Perspectives
From a building Principal
“[I] look for evidence of wait time that paraprofessionals are using, how many children are involved in activities, etc.”
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Recurring Critical Questions
How should purchasers make decisions? How can researchers, industry leaders, administrators,
teachers and parents contribute to the knowledge base?
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Recurring Critical Questions
How to inform decision making: Need more data on student achievement with
technology options Need to demonstrate increased effectiveness when
technology is well-integrated Need to educate stakeholders about the levels
of evidence required to support claims and purchases
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