Accessibility for All: Creating an Equitable Learning Ecosystem

Presented by Dr. Doug Brubaker, Superintendent, Fort Smith Public Schools, AR; Dr. Carol Kelley, Superintendent, Oak Park Elementary District 97, IL; and Randall Squier, Superintendent, Coxsackie-Athens Central School District, NY

Program Host and Moderator: Ann McMullan, Project Director, CoSN Empowered Superintendents Initiative

Sponsored by ClassLink
This edWebinar series is co-hosted by CoSN and edWeb.net

Watch the Recording Listen to the Podcast

Get a CE Certificate for this edWebinar Learn more

Accessibility is a critical requirement when it comes to delivering equal educational opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities and English language learners. However, accessibility impacts more than students. School leaders need to make certain that all information provided to the public, parents, guardians and staff is accessible for all stakeholders as well. In short, accessibility is a vital part of the education equation. Accessibility policies and practices must be front and center for everyone at all times. Additionally, it is equally important that school leaders make their commitment to accessibility highly vocal and visible. Continued attention and ongoing modifications are prerequisites when it comes to assuring accessibility for all.

In this edWebinar, three superintendents share how they are leading the complex issues involved in ensuring accessibility for all within their school districts. Five compelling steps for ensuring accessibility will be articulated and illustrated with real-world examples of successful strategies that have been used to address accessibility among all school district stakeholders.

This edWebinar will be of particular value to school superintendents, K-12 school and district leaders, and aspiring leaders. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.

About the Presenters

Dr. Doug Brubaker serves as Superintendent of Fort Smith Public Schools, AR. Over a career spanning 24 years, he has served in a variety of leadership roles in school districts ranging in size from 7,000 to 60,000 students. As Superintendent of Fort Smith Public Schools, Dr. Brubaker launched the district’s Vision 2023 strategic planning initiative and worked with students, parents, educators, members of the community, and the FSPS Board of Education to identify, prioritize, and begin to address the district’s greatest needs. In May 2018, in part due to broad-based support for Vision 2023 goals, the district passed its first millage referendum in over 30 years. A dedicated funding stream for technology replacement has been a key accomplishment. Dr. Brubaker and his wife, Heather, have a daughter who attends school in the district. Dr. Brubaker has CoSN CETL certification and a Ph.D. in educational computing from the University of North Texas.

Dr. Carol L. Kelley is superintendent of Oak Park Elementary School District 97, a PreK–8 public school system in Oak Park, IL, with 6,150 students. Dr. Kelley is deeply committed to addressing historical disparities in school systems and realizing a compelling vision of educational equity for every student. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, she has been widely recognized for her professional work and contribution to education. Before joining District 97, Dr. Kelley spent three years as Superintendent of Schools for the Branchburg Township School District in New Jersey. Previously, she was Director for Curriculum and Instruction for Hunterdon Central Regional High School in New Jersey. Earlier, she served as a building administrator and elementary teacher, also in New Jersey.

Randall Squier is currently the superintendent of schools for Coxsackie-Athens Central Schools, NY, which are located 20 miles south of Albany on the Hudson River. Randy is in his eighth year at Coxsackie-Athens Central Schools and 14th as a superintendent, previously serving Oxford Central Schools for six years. He has presented regionally, statewide and nationally on topics that have a foundation in professional learning communities and innovative schools. Coxsackie-Athens Central Schools is currently ranked first in the nation by the National School Boards Association for its digital conversion that includes providing a mobile device for every student in K-12 as well as shifting most back-office storage functions to the cloud. For the last seven years, Coxsackie-Athens’ graduation rate is 16% higher than the previous eight years. The district was one of three schools recognized nationally by ISTE for its digital badge program. Randy was a Tech & Learning Magazine runner-up for 2017 digital leaders.

About the Host

Ann McMullan is Project Director for CoSN’s Empowered Superintendents Initiative. Ann served as Executive Director, Educational Technology in the Klein Independent School District, near Houston, Texas until September 2013, when she and her family moved to Los Angeles, California. For 16 years Ann led the district team that provided professional development on technology and 21st century instructional strategies to 4,000 professional educators serving 50,000 students. Ann served as co-chair of Texas Education Technology Advisory Committee which developed the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. Today, Ann is based in Los Angeles working as a public speaker, writer, and education consultant focused on leadership and planning to meet the needs of today’s students. Ann serves on the Project Tomorrow advisory council and is a leadership consultant with Executive Service Corps of Southern California, serving non-profit associations. Ann co-authored Life Lessons in Leadership, a guide for leaders ages eight to 88.

To participate in the live edWebinar, log in with current version of Google Chrome or install the meeting app prior to the edWebinar on your computer, your Apple device, or Android device.  If you have a firewall in your location, you can participate on your mobile device using your cellular data (not your local network).

The edWebinar recording will be posted to this page the day after the presentation.

Join the Super-Connected community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

ClassLink empowers your students and teachers with instant access to their learning resources. ClassLink® OneClick® includes a library of over 5,000 single sign-on apps and instant links to file folders at school and on Google, Office 365, and Dropbox cloud drives. ClassLink Roster Server easily and securely delivers class rosters to any publisher using open technology standards. ClassLink Analytics gives decision makers the usage data they need. Accessible from any computer, tablet or smartphone, ClassLink is ideal for 1to1 and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives.

CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking) is the premier professional association for school system technology leaders. CoSN provides thought leadership resources, community, best practices and advocacy tools to help leaders succeed in the digital transformation. CoSN represents over 13 million students in school districts nationwide and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education.