Assistive Technology in Education


New Grants Seek Tech Solutions for Reading Instruction for English Learners with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education is now accepting applications for Stepping-Up Technology Implementation grant funds for cooperative projects that use existing technology to improve reading instruction for PreK–12 English Learners with disabilities, through its Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals With Disabilities Program.

New Research: Grade Readiness at Start of School Year Was More Impactful Than Being In School or Remote During Pandemic

Whether students were prepared for grade-level learning mattered more to their progress over the course of the pandemic than whether they were remote or in school, according to new research released today by Curriculum Associates.

Microsoft Education Unveils Expanded Literacy, Accessibility Tools for Students and Teachers

Microsoft Education today announced expanded literacy learning capabilities for teachers and students using its free Reading Progress app within Teams, and introduced a new integrated app called Reading Coach, a practice tool for students that automatically generates individualized exercises based on each student’s specific needs.

Why Student Data is Vital for Schools to Address Inequities in 2022 and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a spotlight on equity disparities in K–12 education, with new attention on how factors such as internet access, home environments, and family dynamics can impact student success. As schools continue responding to pandemic disruptions, timely and comprehensive data in one spot remains critical to educators’ abilities to make informed decisions and create targeted interventions.

Carolina Biological Launching Certified OpenSciEd Middle School Units and CTE

Carolina Biological, a supplier of instructional materials for science classes, on Tuesday unveiled new “certified” print and digital versions of OpenSciEd science instructional units for grades 6–8, including complete lab kits and flexible purchase options for schools, the company said in a news release.

Two Senators Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Open SAMHSA Mental Health Funds to K–12 School Districts

Two U.S. senators have announced proposed legislation that would allow K–12 school districts to seek direct federal funding for comprehensive student mental health and suicide prevent programs from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

SXSW EDU 2022 Gears Up To Reimagine Education: From Practical to Profound

Since COVID-19 turned the U.S. education system upside down, the movement to "reimagine education" seems to be having a moment, and SXSW EDU attendees can expect to hear a lot of discussion on remaking America’s public school norms when the event returns in-person March 7–10 in Austin with more than 350 in-person sessions, dozens of which will be streamed online as well for virtual attendees.

PresenceLearning To Add Several Hasbro Kids' Characters, Games To Its Online Therapy Platform

PresenceLearning, a provider of online counseling for schools and clinicians, on Tuesday announced a deal to to bring some of Hasbro’s children’s characters and classic games to the PresenceLearning therapy platform to help speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and behavioral and mental health professionals better engage with students during sessions.

Arizona ED Selects i-Ready as Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screener for Students for 2022-23

The Arizona Department of Education has named Curriculum Associates’ i-Ready Assessment as an approved universal literacy and dyslexia screener for the 2022–2023 school year, allowing schools statewide to use the online diagnostic and offline literacy assessments to screen for risk factors associated with dyslexia.

Age of Learning Expands School Solutions with New My Reading Academy

Age of Learning, creator of the popular ABCmouse online learning program, has launched My Reading Academy, a game-based platform offering “an individualized, adaptive learning solution blending interactivity, adaptive challenges, and ongoing feedback to sustain engagement and motivation in young learners," the company said.