Oklahoma School District Gets Help Creating Inclusive Learning

CAST, the nonprofit instructional analysis and growth group that created the Universal Design for Learning framework, launched the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) in 2018.

The heart promotes a framework of evidence-based practices aligned to the 2017 National Education Technology Plan. The framework is designed to empower faculty districts to create and maintain inclusive know-how methods that serve all college students, together with college students who require AT or accessible instructional supplies. 

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, this work focuses on figuring out how the applied sciences are acquired and carried out and the way college students are supported.

In 2020, Jenks Public Schools was one in every of 5 faculty districts to accomplice with CITES to take away limitations for college students like Mercy and finish the stigma of being “different” for utilizing custom-made studying instruments.

Using the CITES framework, the crew created a district technology plan  that included enter from all stakeholders. It set targets to replace procurement and curriculum adoption practices and, most necessary, change the tradition concerning accessibility.

WATCH: See how ed tech prepares students with disabilities for careers. 

The district additionally has a vendor survey for all curriculum adoption, requiring distributors to share accessibility options. Products are eradicated from consideration if they don’t meet particular accessibility scores.

To assist the shift in mindset, the ed tech crew posts weekly tricks to improve understanding of small modifications academics could make to enhance entry for all college students. Jenks is dedicated to this journey and continues to drive change to satisfy all college students’ wants and even exceed expectations.

Implementing the CITES self-assessments helped the management crew establish areas with accessibility gaps and alter these practices. “We are happy with our participation within the CITES framework growth course of and the improved deal with methods to assist all college students,” says Jenks Superintendent Stacey Butterfield.

All of our college students deserve acceptable time, power and monetary assist to scale back limitations and improve alternatives for his or her achievement. Please take the time to evaluate your district’s inclusive know-how insurance policies and practices, and go to cites.cast.org for extra assets.