The echo model® for enhancing assistive technology implementation in schools

In this article, we describe the implementation of the ECHO model® for use in education to build capacity among educators and professionals to implement assistive technology. ECHO® is a professional development model that relies on video-conferencing, didactic trainings, and case presentations to improve professional capacity and ultimately student outcomes. This article describes how a large rural state is effectively using this technology to connect to rural school districts for the purposes of providing training, mentoring, and skills development for educators, administrators, and related professionals on emerging and promising practices in assistive technology. The data from our first full academic year of implementation, 2014-2015, shows that the ECHO model can be effectively used in educational settings, reaches large numbers of professionals, and improves self-reported knowledge and skills related to assistive technology.