AT Leadership Network Meeting
Jan 23, 2017
What / NotesWelcome, Networking, Celebrations- / AISD’s PODD training for SLPs & lending library of 12 and 70 location communication books :)
9:30 Sped Funding and AT with Q&A with Linda McDaniels, Sped Compliance Team ESC13
“Please share with the group. I stated this during the discussion, but it is really the essence of it all:
IDEA-B funds are to supplement other LEA funds. IDEA-B funds do not take the place (supplant) other LEA funds.
IDEA-B funds are to cover the excess cost of serving a student with a disability. They are NOT to pay for ALL the cost.
IDEA-B funds are only to benefit students receiving special education services.
Thanks for let me come. It’s a great group of professionals!” / Handout and Q&A with Linda McDaniels- Sped Compliance Team
- What about IMA funds- See FAQ-they can be used for technology (hardware, software and training) so district licenses for literacy software for IEP and non-IEP students can use these funds. What do we need to know/do? Start asking and having these conversations with sped directors, etc.
Needs & Problem Solving
- What has your district's experience been with purchasing CoWriter Universal? Have you had to go through the process of everyone signing a data-sharing agreement? How has renewing/purchasing new licenses been once your year is up - do you purchase brand new licenses or can you reuse old ones that aren't being used? How quickly were you able to get the program up and running from the time it was purchased?
- What if any are district’s procedures for discontinuing the use of an AAC device. I’m inquiring about students who already use the device (not a trial) and have it in the IEP as AT. Do districts have a formal process (including either assessment – formal or informal- or data collection) that assists them in documenting the appropriateness of removing a device? Some LEAs require a formal re-eval, but some d/c it as part of their AT consideration process. “Using a whole language approach” is verbage to allow whichever tools is working per task. Data needs to show the same/similar types of support - otherwise could be considered a violation of IEP… what was the reason SS was using AAC in the first .
- Alternate Access:
- Have y’all taken the STAAR Online Released Practice Tests- on the platform students will be using (chromebook, ipad, PC)? Have you seen/worked with kids taking the Online STAAR Released Practice tests?
Action Item: if secure browser/testing platform is not on your device- get with IT/”network coordinator” as soon as possible to install it!! (since their preparation timeline, shown on the right seems too late!) / Data sharing agreement- data is shared back to DJI- their standards are really high, never kids name, but do track how much use, etc. IT needs to white list - several other tools that make CoWriter useful. what is key element on tech side getting it to classrooms when you haven’t purchased a district license or campus license? =Sped directors and/or admin asking IT. What’s gonna happen at renewal - from tech side? Usually, you have to do it all over/can’t carryover - reinstall it all again, ugh.
AAC Needs Assessment and *see response from network member in Notes below
Alternate Access:
ATIA webinars on Alternate Access
AbleNet University webinars on Alternate Access
CTD webinars on Alternate Access
Christopher Hillyoutube channel
STAAR Online:
Technology Systems and Supports
STAAR Online Testing Platform Technology Guide (PDF)
Lunch 11:45-12:45
State of the Region
●STAAR updates @1pm w/ Mark Billingsley & IT (FYI- many of us- itinerant service providers are not invited/ involved to any STAAR training :(
○Overview of what’s new (see 2017 ESC Testing Coordinators Training Presentation (PDF)
■Pg 15, 49, 63, 64!;
■STAAR Alt 2 pg 167
○Q: Do we need to prepare Instructions/Step by Step for setting up kiosk mode/guided access? When applicable, turning off spell check? Deleting written work in google docs before syncing? See DJI’s testing accomm handout. Or does IT do some of this?? How do you set a Chromebook to kiosk mode?
○Q: Do we need to develop a “student skills checklist” for the secure platform or for integrating STT, WP, TTS for the writing portion?
○Built-in Siri dictation (used by CoWriter, iReadWrite) STT not as robust as commercial; is there a way to delete/correct errors using voice commands or must you do with the keyboard? No voice command to delete last word; see Siri Dictation Guide. Google Chrome’s Voice Typing does let you say “delete” removes the last word! Voice Typing Commands What TTS are we using for Google Drive/Docs?
○Do we need to purchase headsets/mic + ears for STT, TTS on iPads/Chromebooks?
○Do “we” need to go crazy with time and energy trying to spell this all out? What is expected that LEAs do for test proctors about the AT students are using (with no one designated as AT Lead) and who owns this?
Students who “must/should” take STAAR online are students who have been using and need the Content Supports and Language and Vocabulary Supports.
I’d argue that students who receive Oral Administration should take STAAR online because I hear too many teachers reporting that students often don’t listen to the whole text being read. Instead students will have answered all the questions before the teacher has finished reading the passage. With TTS, students can read only what they need, listen and revisit a word or passage as often as needed, etc. /
We’d need to give IT/network coordinator/head of technology the info/link in writing that it’s allowed! ESC DTC folks- are they sending this info out to their people- it would be helpful!! And this needs to go to Sped Directors/504, curriculum council, etc.
Kim Brannan’s reply to Q: Can we use Guided Access to set an iPad in Kiosk mode? “ Justin’s comment was that kiosk mode was the umbrella and guided access is just one example of kiosk mode. His actual words were “all guided access is kiosk but not all kiosk is guided access.”
Nic’s answer:
Yes, you can use guided access which is one example of kiosk mode. In “STAAR Online Testing Platform Technology Guide” updated Feb, 2016 - there is no mention of kiosk mode, only Guided Access:
Security Stuff:
Calculator Policy excerpt: For calculator applications, all Internet capabilities must be disabled on the device. In addition, the calculator application being used must be locked down (in kiosk mode) to prevent the use of other applications during testing. Districts should be aware that some calculator applications include resources that could aid students during testing. Students must be monitored closely to ensure that these resources are not accessed during the test.
Calculation applications on smartphones are also not allowed.
Dictionary Policy excerpt
Both paper and electronic dictionaries are permitted. However, electronic dictionaries
that provide access to the Internet or have photographic capabilities are NOT allowed.
For electronic dictionaries that are hand-held devices, test administrators must ensure
that any features that allow note taking or uploading of files have been cleared of their
contents both before and after the test administration.
Technology Prep
Ensure that there is one pair of headphones per student receiving audio accommodations in which multiple students are tested in the same room.
Mark Billingsley Comments
Big picture - TEA is trying to broaden accommodations for all students. Personal needs and preferences (PNP) - 3 types of support: Text to Speech, Language and Vocabulary supports & Content supports. Each option gets selected/activated per subject area tested. Changed so that the districts who know the students best are best qualified to make the determination who needs what accommodation.
There are 35 new district testing coordinators this year. If you are in a district with a new coordinator, you may need to work with them to help them think through this matter.
EBP, New and Practical Resources
●Speech Recognition as AT- must-see webinar
●ATIA debrief- thanks AISD gals!!
● / Big Picture/ The Task:
How to Use Speech Recognition for Writing- Dec 2016
Leadership
●BTH presenters?!
●ATIA webinars = PD for you and/or PD for your team- discount code= 17TATNPD good thru 9/30/17 is free for any TX educator- competition btwn service centers winner gets free ATIA conf
●Planning for next year...
Upcoming Events/PD
AT for Struggling Readers- Feb 16
TobiiDynavox Eye Gaze- Feb 21
TouchChat app- March 7
AAC Foundations- April 26, May 4, May 5
Beat the Heat June 21-22 @ESC 13
TATN Summer Statewide AT Conference June 13-14 @ ESC4 Houston
Discussion Notes
AAC Process for Dismissal:
I originally tried to create a formal process where the campus educational team had to submit a justification form before discontinuing the use of a student's IEP mandated AAC device. I adapted a form I found from the D75 Assistive Technology Team (see attached). However, I found it really tough to get campuses to follow through with completing the form and also making them aware of the process.
I found it more effective to build capacity within our SLP department. In ISD, campus SLPs are considered the "case manager" of all student AAC devices. This has helped campuses streamline who is responsible for management of the AAC Devices, so there is a "go to person."
Right now our current process is a little more hands on and I usually will guide our SLPs through steps to take.
For an IEP mandated AAC device, the campus SLP is responsible for holding an ARD to present recommendations with data to discontinue the use of the student's AAC device. If the ARD committee is in agreement, then it needs to be documented and removed from the student's IEP goals. This must be done before a SLP can return the AAC device to our AT inventory.
If an SLP contacts me with a request to change an AAC device or communication software, then I ask that they conduct AAC trials and complete a new AAC device request form with documentation to support recommendations. If the current AAC device or communication software is mandated in the IEP, the SLP will need to hold an ARD to present recommendations with data to change the AAC device/communication software. If ARD committee is in agreement, it is to be documented in the IEP. The current AAC device can not be returned to AT until this happens. A new AAC Device/Communication Software will also not be issued until this happens.
**Something else that has been really really helpful...
Our SLPs are encouraged to not include a device or communication software's brand name (i.e. Dynavox, LAMP, etc) in the student's IEP, but to describe it's features. I also like to encourage to the use of "AAC system" vs "AAC device."
STAAR, tablets and security:
Nic’s To Do: 1. needs to do a How To Instructions and Security template for iOS, PCs, Mac & chromebooks using iReadWrite, CoWriter and iWordQ + standard/built-in notes app and standard STT/dictation.
2. Student skills checklist for accessing the accommodations on the test.
Next /Last Meeting: Thursday, April 13
Thank you all for being here today, I appreciate your time and expertise!