How can we make good choices and decisions about the technology supports that benefit the unique needs of a child? Which tools can help to support such decision-making with greater confidence? Are tools available that have a sound base in developmental theory and research? From this author's perspective, STAGES© is such a tool and is one of the new developmental process models in the field of special education technology.

Technology is seen by many as a tool for addressing the numerous challenges of the classroom. Technology does have tremendous potential, but as with every tool, we need to understand its intended purpose, how to use it, under what conditions, and we need to follow the directions for its use. STAGES© is a very important tool for educators when used according to directions.

About twenty years ago, when the field of assistive technology was in its infancy, Madalaine Pugliese, then director of assistive technology programs for the Boston Public Schools (the first formal programs with this focus within public education in the USA), began to compile the strategies and materials needed for making software decisions to support special needs learners. Over the years, Ms. Pugliese was behind many of the major assistive technology initiatives across the country, and watched the field of assistive technology develop and mature. STAGES©: Software Solutions for Special Needs, first published in 1999, is the presentation of her many years of knowledge and experience as a comprehensive philosophy for determining students' language and cognitive needs. It uses the digital and interactive aspects of computer delivery to assess and guide selection of appropriate software to match student needs. Assistive technology expert and editor, Dave Edyburn, identifies STAGES© as one of 12 models that has impacted the special education technology knowledge base, and reflects the developmental processes associated with a critical component of special education technology.

Pugliese describes STAGES© as an alternative curriculum and assessment philosophy. The seven distinct developmental stages, focused on language and cognitive development are anchored in the research of Jean Piaget, Mary Wilson, Noam Chomsky, and Barb Adams. They are: 1. Cause and Effect, 2. Language Readiness, 3. Emerging Language, 4. Early Concepts, 5. Advanced Concepts, 6. Functional Learning, and 7. Written Expression. With current interest in alternative assessment for students, particularly with an eye toward statewide assessments, teachers and specialists should find STAGES© to be a useful and well-grounded tool to support the documentation and selection of educationally appropriate software. Clearly, however, Pugliese has designed this framework to do much, much more. By organizing her stages into two phases language foundation and academic discovery Pugliese presents a framework that can guide the user from the most basic stage of language discovery through the advanced stages that assess and facilitate language application and functions. The STAGES© process begins with identification of stage(s), IEP objectives and teaching strategies as guided by the STAGES© text. Following this, assessment software collects data, identifies and selects practice software appropriate for the stage, and tracks progress to help teachers document mastery and student readiness to move on to further stages. Data charts can be used to verify progress toward objectives and to reveal patterns of need.

A caution to potential users since STAGES© software is very engaging, you may be tempted to use it for reinforcement activities, or just for the student's enjoyment. Be careful such use may cloud the effectiveness of using STAGES© as an assessment tool, which may be its greatest value to teachers and students.

There are many components to the STAGES© framework (software and non-software), but to start, try reading STAGES©: Software Solutions for Special Needs. The libraries at the Paul V. Sherlock Center and at the TechACCESS Center have copies. A demonstration disk of STAGES© software is also available for trial at these locations. You can also contact Assistive Technology, Inc., directly for product information (800-793-9227 or www.assistivetech.com). For more information about local training or technical assistance on STAGES©, contact TechACCESS, or feel free to contact Betsy Dalton at the Sherlock Center (401-456-8072 or edalton@ric.edu).

TechACCESS of RI
Phone: 401-463-0202 (v/tdd)
FAX: 401-463-3433
In-State: 800-916-(TECH)8324
Contact: TechACCESS of RI | techaccess@techaccess-ri.org|

Last Revised: May 30, 2002