Voyager Passport Improves Teaching and Administration Tools

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 09/03/19

A K-5 reading intervention program has received some updates for the fall start. The latest release of Voyager Passport from Voyager Sopris provides for more time on task in reading. The program is intended for students who need extra help outside of the core instruction to work on phonic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

Voyager Passport is intended to be used about 30 minutes a day to deliver explicit instruction. It includes print and online resources for teachers and students, placement assessments and features that are designed to engage learners in reading. The standards-aligned "adventures" students work through cover science, social studies and the arts to build content knowledge.

Among the updates there are improvements to teacher and administrator functionality, such as a new "heart" tab that lets users designate favorite items; a new "add student" button that allows for quick updates to the student roster; and faster access to ebooks through a resources home page.

Students will also have an easier time moving through their materials. For example, learners will be able to access ebooks by clicking on icons at the top of the screen. Also, those who have listened to audio books will find a green check; those who are in progress will see a yellow icon; and those who haven't started will find an empty circle.

One district that has used Voyager Passport for many years is Autauga County School System in Alabama. Assessment Administrator Rachel Surles noted in a statement that the software helped students gain "the necessary skills and confidence to become successful readers. It has been such a joy to see the students grow, and I am excited about the future success our students will have thanks to dedicated teachers and Voyager Passport."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A recent report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.

  • tutor and student working together at a laptop

    You've Paid for Tutoring. Here's How to Make Sure It Works.

    As districts and states nationwide invest in tutoring, it remains one of the best tools in our educational toolkit, yielding positive impacts on student learning at scale. But to maximize return on investment, both financially and academically, we must focus on improving implementation.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.