2023 Pennsylvania Department of Education (Virtual) Conference
13. Improving Your District Assistive Technology Service Delivery Through Capacity Building
Session Dates
Wednesday March 01, 2023 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Webinar
Closed
We know assistive technology (AT) is one of the most beneficial interventions available to improve student learning and inclusion. Yet, many districts struggle with providing consistency and excellence in AT services equitably across the district. This session will offer ideas and strategies about capacity building for AT. Administrators, AT leaders, educators, and services providers will identify their most pressing AT capacity building needs and the ways in which they want to build new program capacity. We will focus on methods to create a culture of shared responsibility and increase coherence across the agency, utilizing the Coherence Framework. Coherence is a research- and evidence-based model for developing skills and competencies within a group with the long-term goal of building internal capacity and responsibility to improve student achievement. The elements of the Framework include four strategies for leaders: focusing direction, cultivating collaborative cultures, deepening learning, and securing accountability. We will use the Framework to create customized plans for AT program improvement that aligns with larger district/school initiatives. Coherence requires a shared depth of understanding about the purpose and nature of the work local education agencies (LEAs) undertake to transform their districts in ways that will lead to improved student success. Strong and effective AT programs are critical to the process to reach diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. This is an ideal session to attend as a cross-departmental/functional team.
Target Audience
General education and special education administrators and teachers, paraprofessionals, school psychologists, professional development staff, and families of students with disabilities are encouraged to attend.
Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate individuals who have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and who need assistance at this event. Contact: Debra Jordan, at [(610) 878-7224, or
djordan@pattan.net.