SmartStart: Use of Technology
Overview | Key Points | Links | Additional
Resources
This
SmartStart is updated with references to the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015
and the 2016 ESSA regulations.
Overview
While
technology in special education often has to do with accommodations or
assistive devices, under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, districts are
directed to use funds toward the use of technology to improve the academic
achievement, growth, and digital literacy of students, including those with
disabilities.
Key Points
These
key-point summaries cannot reflect every fact or point of law contained within
a source document. For the full text, follow the link to the cited source.
SUGGESTED
ACTIVITIES
- In
crafting ESSA, Congress provided a list of methods by which districts
could support the effective use of technology. These include:
- Providing
educators, school leaders, and administrators with the resources to: 1)
personalize learning to improve student academic achievement; 2)
discover, adapt, and share relevant high-quality educational resources;
3) use technology effectively in the classroom, including by
administering computer-based assessments and blended learning strategies;
and 4) implement and support school- and districtwide approaches for
using technology to inform instruction, support teacher collaboration,
and personalize learning.
- Building
technological capacity and infrastructure, which may include: 1)
procuring content and ensuring content quality; and 2) purchasing
devices, equipment, and software applications in order to address
readiness shortfalls.
- Developing
or using effective or innovative strategies for the delivery of
specialized or rigorous academic courses and curricula through the use of
technology, including digital learning technologies and assistive
technology.
- Carrying
out blended learning projects.
- Providing
professional development in the use of technology to enable teachers and
instructional leaders to increase student achievement in the areas of
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer
science.
- Providing
students in rural, remote, and underserved areas with the resources to
take advantage of high-quality digital learning experiences, digital
resources, and access to online courses taught by effective educators.
20 USC 7119(a).
BLENDED
LEARNING PROJECTS
- Under
the heading of "blended learning projects," ESSA directs
districts to pursue:
- Planning
activities, which may include development of new instructional models
(including blended learning technology software and platforms), the
purchase of digital instructional resources, initial professional
development activities, and one-time information technology purchases.
These expenditures may not include expenditures related to significant
construction or renovation of facilities.
- Ongoing
professional development for teachers, principals, or other school
leaders, or other personnel involved in the project that is designed to
support the implementation and academic success of the project.
20 USC 7119(a)(4).
STATEWIDE
ASSESSMENTS
- ESSA
provides that statewide assessments shall include appropriate
accommodations, such as interoperability with and ability to use AT for
children with disabilities (as defined in the IDEA), including students
with the most significant cognitive disabilities, and students with a
disability who are provided accommodations under an act other than the
IDEA. 20 USC 6311(b)(2).
Links
Additional Resources
Additional
resources on this topic are available for purchase from LRP Publications:
Please
share your experience and expertise. Forward any suggested additions or changes
to this or other SmartStarts to SmartStarteditor@lrp.com.
Last
updated: September 20, 2023