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Suggested
Resources
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 Information
about Education Tech Points is available from www.edtechpoints.org which also includes Hey!
Can I Try That?, a
free downloadable student workbook designed to invite studentparticipation in selecting and using assistive
technology and thus promotes self determination.
A
free comprehensive AT Assessment Tool that is based on
the
principles of the Education Tech Point framework is available
from the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI).
Choose the “Assessment Package” at www.wati.org/materials/freematerials.html.
The WATI Assessment package is not a standardized test,
but rather a series of protocols and observation forms
that help the school based team gather, analyze, and
use information to make informed decisions in the selection
and use of assistive technology. The Georgia Project
for Assistive Technology (GPAT) also offers a free AT
Assessment tool that can be used in the same way Go to www.gpat.org/Resources%20Main.htm and
choose the “protocols”. They are a series of PDF files.
Download each of them for a complete set of AT Assessment
protocols.
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The
Education Tech Points (Bowser and Reed, 1995) were designed to
provide a framework for systemic assistive technology planning
rather than to serve as an evaluation tool for an individual.
The
Education Tech Points are:
- Referral,
- Evaluation,
- Extended
Assessment,
- Plan
Development,
- Implementation,
and
- Periodic
Review.
These
points represent places in the typical special education service
delivery pattern where the authors believe assistive
technology should be addressed. Specific questions are
provided at each of these six points that can be used to guide
discussion
and decision making.
The
goal of the Education Tech Points system is to empower school
district teams to support students
in the
selection, acquisition and use of assistive technology.
In 1998 Bowser and Reed published a manual that expanded and
explained
the Education Tech Point Framework. It includes numerous
examples and forms collected from school districts that can
be helpful
in providing assistive technology services.
Within
the Education Tech Point Framework, the specific steps recommended
during Evaluation include:
- Gather
existing data about the student.
- Observe
in customary environments.
- Identify
the tasks the student is required to complete.
- Complete
formal and/or informal testing.
- Hold
evaluation planning/decision making session.
- Identify
possible assistive technology and non-assistive technology
solutions.
- Determine
whether extended evaluation is needed.
- Formulate
recommendations for the IEP/IFSP team.
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