A School Administrator's Desktop Guide to AT
Resource: A School Administrator's Desktop Guide to AT
For role of administrator, read: Bowser, G., & Reed, P. (2004). A School Administrator’s Desktop Guide to Assistive Technology. Arlington, VA: Technology and Media Division of CEC. www.tamcec.org
Type: publication
Cost: $20
Symptoms linked to this entry:
- AT is physically available, but only used when AT specialist is present.
- There is a school wide lack of interest in and willingness to use AT.
- Support staff are not implementing the use of AT when they work with the student.
- Outside evaluator recommended AT, but no action has been taken.
- AT was fully implemented and worked well last year, but in this year’s classroom is not used.
- There is a school wide lack of interest in and willingness to use AT.
Reasons linked to this entry:
- Teacher does not take responsibility for the regular use of AT for meaningful tasks.
- Support staff are not required to implement AT use in their work with student.
- Support staff do not feel "required" to implement AT.
- Administrator has not demonstrated expectation that AT use must be implemented and supported.
- Someone may be talking negatively about AT and sabotaging its use.
Actions linked to this entry:
- Meet with administrator to explain the critical role he or she plays in AT implementation.
- Include teacher's immediate superivisor to discuss AT implementation and how it will be monitored.
- Meet with supervisor to determine why he or she does not understand administrator's role.
- Find out how the principal feels about AT use. Discuss importance of administrative support.