NASDSE Partners with NCLD
- john.eisenberg@nasdse.org
- Jun 7, 2019
- 4 min read
Eleven national organizations have come together to outline a new vision for education technology in a series of publications that explore conception, design, procurement, use, and continuous improvement of ed tech initiatives.
The collaborative publications build off a central report, “Inclusive Technology in a 21st Century Learning System”, by Ace Parsi, Director of Innovation at the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD).
The report lays out a new inclusive vision for educational technology and considerations to ensure technology closes educational, economic, and civic opportunity gaps for individuals with disabilities.
The complimentary local and state/national briefs were developed in collaboration between the following organizations:
Policy and Research Organizations: The American Institute for Research, Digital Promise, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, and The Learning Accelerator,;
Associations Representing Local Policy Leaders: CoSN - Consortium for School Networking, the School Superintendent Association and Association of School Business Officials International;
Associations Representing State Policy Makers: National Association of State Directors of Special Education, the State Education Technology Directors Association, and the National Association of State Boards of Education;
National Policy and Advocacy Organizations: The Alliance for Excellent Education, the Future Ready Schools initiative, and the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
“Working together with these 10 other organizations sets a prime example of how all decision makers should be working together to ensure the needs of all learners are truly being met,” noted Lindsay Jones, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
“All students need access to teaching and learning opportunities that are equitable and inclusive. The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State’s University’s work on Learning Differences emphasizes the importance of understanding and meeting the needs of all students. ThIs collaboration is an important step in providing education leaders with the resources and guidance they need to support all learners,” noted Dr. Mary Ann Wolf, PhD from The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State University.
“Access to high quality instructional materials is critical to all learners. Collaborating with a variety of organizations models best practices to supports progress for all students,” stated Christine Fox, Deputy Executive Director, SETDA.
"All learners should have equitable access to powerful, research-based education technology. Partnerships such as these are critical as we work together to achieve that reality,” noted Karen Cator, CEO of Digital Promise.
"Schools and systems seeking to implement education technology need to ensure they do so inclusively and equitably. The Learning Accelerator is excited to be part of this project, which lays out a starting framework to support leaders as they intentionally and collaboratively design, use, and improve ed tech for all learners," Beth Rabbitt, CEO, The Learning Accelerator (TLA)
“The most recent National Ed Tech Plan (2015) had twin themes of equity and accessibility. CoSN believes these tools will be highly valuable to education technology leaders to ensure accessibility for all. We’re thrilled to be part of this collaborative effort.”, Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN (Consortium for School Networking).
"It is critical that our school systems work systematically to ensure that the impact of the digital revolution is being felt by all students in urban, suburban and rural districts from coast to coast,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “Teachers in our communities must be properly equipped to deliver the top-notch instruction that will effectively address the needs of diverse learners in our schools. AASA is proud to partner on this project.”
“Education technology can be a gamechanger for helping students learn, communicate, connect, and develop into engaged citizens and future leaders. However, without a deliberate strategy in place to identify, purchase, use, and continuously improve education technology so that all students’ needs are met, district IT initiatives will always fall short. Effective strategies require multiple perspectives—district leaders, educators, parents, students, and others must all play their part to ensure IT investments are sound and align to the school community’s mission and goals,” David J. Lewis, Executive Director, ASBO International
“These publications provide information and guidance to educational leaders to effectively leverage education technology to meet the needs of all learners, particularly those with disabilities,” said Tracy Gray, Managing Director at the American Institute for Research.
“Every student—no matter his or her educational needs, background, income level, or zip code—should have access to technology and the effective educators necessary to implement it,” said Deb Delisle, president and CEO of the Alliance for Excellent Education (All4Ed).
“By coming together to share research and expertise, our organizations have created a series of publications to help states, school districts, and schools support equity and inclusion while ensuring technology-enhanced learning addresses each child’s unique needs.”
“All students need access to teaching and learning opportunities that are equitable and inclusive,” said Dr. Mary Ann Wolf of The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State’s University. “The Friday Institute’s work on Learning Differences and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) emphasizes the importance of understanding and meeting the needs of all students. ThIs collaboration is an important step in providing education leaders with the resources and guidance they need to support all learners.”
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