Measuring What Matters: The Impact of Statewide Assistive Tech Use

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

leadership, policy & implementation

Format:

demonstration

Subject Level:

intermediate

Age Span:

kindergarten - grade 6
grades 7-12

Target Audience:

AT specialist
consultant
educator
K-12 administration
occupational therapist
special educator
university professor / personnel

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

.01 CEU

ACVREP CEs:

1 CE

Presentation Length: 1 hour

Location:

Verandas 2, 4

Description:

Assistive technology (AT) is often considered to be an individual accommodation. However, what happens when AT is implemented at scale? The purpose of this session is to describe the research, policy and practice outcomes associated with Arkansas’ state-wide adoption of three accessibility products (ReadandWrite, uPAR, and Equatio) over a two-year period. The presenters will share information about how state policy provided an opportunity to adopt and implement accessible technologies for every school. Preliminary research results will highlight how the Everway products have been used and their initial impact on student achievement. The implications of this work for fostering state-vendor-research partnerships will be highlighted.

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify how state policy initiatives offer opportunities for scaling assistive technology.

• Evaluate the need for state-vendor-research partnerships for assessing the utility and outcome of large-scale investments in assistive technology and universal design for learning.

• Describe how the emerging research can provide evidence for other states and regional initiatives to improve the academic achievement of students with disabilities.

Disclosures:

Dr. Edyburn has received funding from Everway (Texthelp) to conduct an independent research evaluation of the data generated in the Arkansas LEARNS Act project.
Dave Butler is employed by Everyway (Texthelp) and Don Johnston and serves as the account manager to the state of Arkansas.
Evan Beavers is employed the the Arkansas Department of Education.