CoSN Launches Free Accessible Technologies Self-Assessment Tool
Linda Sharp Named Project Director

Ted Richane
The Fratelli Group
202.822.9491
trichane@fratelli.com

Linda Sharp
303.771.1271
linda.sharp@gmail.com

Washington, DC (February 16, 2006) – A new offering from the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) is helping school districts address the major factors necessary to determine whether all of their students – regardless of ability – have access to leading technologies that support engagement with the curriculum and assist with making Adequate Yearly Progress.

CoSN’s new Accessible Technologies Self-Assessment Tool allows district leaders to gauge their progress in incorporating assistive and instructional technologies, and then provides detailed advice based on the results of each assessment. The tool is free for use by the public, and is available online at www.accessibletech4all.org

“School districts that provide unlimited and effective use of accessible technologies are raising the bar for education technologies,” said Keith Krueger, CEO, CoSN. “This new tool will help districts assess if they are falling behind in regards to accessible technology, and how they can catch up.”

The tool assesses six critical factors:

• Vision
• Communication and Collaboration
• Funding
• Professional Development and Awareness
• Infrastructure
• Instruction and Assessment

After submitting answers to the online assessment, users will receive advice, information, and resources, based on their responses to the questions, as to how their school districts can better use accessible technologies in the education of their students.

The tool is part of CoSN’s Accessible Technologies for All Students leadership initiative, which was launched in 2005 to increase achievement and success for all students through the unlimited and effective use of accessible technologies. Under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) schools are subject to strict accountability standards for the educational progress of all students, including those with disabilities. By accelerating access to technology in schools, districts will improve student achievement and be better positioned to meet state and federal standards. The goal of the initiative is to assist school district technology leaders in creating an expanded vision for the use of accessibility tools for all students. CoSN’s new Self-Assessment Tool can make a valuable contribution to this effort.

Linda Sharp, new project director for Accessible Technologies for All Students, will manage the Self-Assessment Tool and work with districts around the country on creating a close collaboration between the assistive technology (AT) and instructional technology (IT) services at the school district level to enhance and facilitate learning for all students – those with disabilities and those without disabilities.

“The goal of educators is to ensure success for every student, regardless of learning style or ability,” said Ms. Sharp. “The focus for this initiative is to open the dialogue regarding the potential uses of technology in meeting individual student needs.”

An experienced education and learning professional, Ms. Sharp was most recently Vice President for Professional Services at AlphaSmart, Inc., where she successfully directed professional development initiatives, developed sales program and provided educational insight and direction for product development.

CoSN’s Accessible Technologies for All Students leadership initiative is sponsored by AlphaSmart, Apple, the Educational Testing Service (ETS), IntelliTools, Kurzweil Educational Systems, and Verizon.

About the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)

Founded in 1992, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), a national non-profit organization, is the premier voice in education technology leadership. CoSN’s mission is to serve as the national organization for K-12 technology leaders who use technology strategically to improve learning.

CoSN leadership initiatives include: Accessible Technologies for All Students (www.accessibletech4all.org); Cyber Security for the Digital District (www.securedistrict.org); Data-Driven Decision Making (www.3d2know.org); Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse (www.safewiredschools.org); Taking Total Cost of Ownership to the Classroom (www.classroomtco.org); and the development of the Council of School District Chief Technology Officers (CTO Council).

CoSN’s membership includes a unique blend of technology leaders from the public and private sectors. Our audience includes key technology leaders (often called Chief Technology Officers—CTOs) in leading-edge states and districts, as well as those technology leaders who wish to accelerate their districts’ or states’ systemic technology use. Visit www.cosn.org or phone 866.267.8747 to find out more about CoSN’s programs and activities supporting leadership development to ensure that information technology has a direct and positive impact on student learning in elementary and secondary schools.