Educational Technology Leadership: Equitable Access in Schools

The equitable access to technology in schools is a challenge that all districts face in the field of educational technology leadership. Equitable access to technology in schools can look like equitable distribution of devices, the ability to accommodate diverse learners, the ability to access technology at home, and PD so teachers can utilize technology effectively in their classrooms. How does D181 stack up with regard to these areas of equitable access? Currently, all students in grades 3-8 in D181 have a personally deployed device, and devices are shared among students in K-2. Additionally, all buildings have a cart of 30 iPads dedicated to specials courses (art, music, etc.). In terms of accommodating diverse learners in D181, assistive technology services are provided by two full-time assistive technologists,  and in addition, students with special needs have access to district-provided assistive technology devices and software per a student's IEP. Students with 1:1 devices in D181 have the ability to take their devices home each night to support their learning outside of school, and the district provides web filtering for the devices when they are used outside of school grounds. The district also provides assistance for families without home internet access. With regard to technology-related PD for district staff, there are four Teachers on Special Assignment in the district who provide job-embedded professional development. Additional professional development opportunities are provided to staff during institute days, staff development days, during staff meetings, and on an as-needed basis throughout the school year via in-person meetings, trainings, and webinars. Teachers are also provided weekly collaboration time with peers. Some next steps for D181 to make technology access even more equitable would include distributing devices from specials carts at each building into K-2 classrooms to make access in primary more equitable. Also, D181 may want to consider continuing to provide ongoing PD for teachers to ensure that all students have access to educators who integrate technology effectively to support innovative, high quality instruction for all students.