Discover how Read&Write is enhancing inclusion and transforming literacy at Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS)
Summary
Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) is a public school district in Pittsburgh, PA, serving over 20,000 students in grades PK-12, with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. To support all learners, PPS partnered with Texthelp to secure a district-wide license for Read&Write to enhance inclusive education across the district.
PPS sees a future where every student graduates high school ready for college, careers, and life -- equipped with the skills for further education or workforce certification. PPS is student-focused and innovative. Their mission centers around preparing all learners for academic excellence and character development, ensuring success in all aspects of life.
Results
By providing district-wide access to Read&Write, there has been documented cases in PPS of measurable student outcomes. After Read&Write was implemented in classrooms, educators reported an increase in homework and assignment submissions from previously disengaged learners. General education classrooms also saw a reduction in classroom disruptions and behaviors with an increase in learners staying in class. While learner independence grew across the district.
Challenges
Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) serves diverse students with varying levels of need. Providing equitable access to education was a challenge for the district. Many students struggle with grade-level materials due to lower reading levels, affecting class participation and engagement. PPS needed a solution that could level the playing field to support both students and teachers in creating inclusive and supportive learning environments, so all students can succeed.
Solution
PPS partnered with Texthelp to secure a district-wide license for Read&Write and OrbitNote as their chosen inclusion tools. These tools are designed to support reading, writing, studying, and research, making the curriculum more accessible to all students.
I think it’s so important for our whole district to have equal access to Read&Write because it increases inclusivity, and it helps students who may be on the cusp of struggling with reading and different components of literacy. It might help them to be more successful. And we all know that the more successful someone feels in a skill, the more likely they are to do it.”
Implementation
- Training and onboarding: PPS focused on training both teachers and students to maximize the benefits of Read&Write. Teachers received guidance on integrating the tool into their classrooms, while students were introduced to its features, ensuring they could use it effectively.
- Classroom integration: Read&Write was implemented across various applications used in PPS, such as iExcel, Achieve, and Discovery. This integration allowed for a seamless experience where students could use the tool across different subjects and assignments.
- Continuous support: The district provided continuous support and training to teachers and students, moving beyond one-time sessions. This ongoing training helped maintain high levels of engagement and usage of Read&Write over time.
Impact
Enhanced Accessibility: Read&Write significantly improved accessibility for students, particularly those with lower reading levels. Alecia Grenata, PSE Curriculum Support, highlighted a student who was previously disengaged due to inaccessible materials and how they became actively involved in class once introduced to Read&Write.
Increased Student Engagement: Read&Write empowered students by helping them to understand and respond to the curriculum independently. Features such as text-to-speech, dictation, and the Picture Dictionary gave learners the confidence to participate more in their education.
“So to have something read to you, that’s great, the same program can highlight things for you in multiple colors, the same thing can listen to your speech and then put it in text - that’s terrific. Or, be able to just click on and highlight a word because I don’t understand that. So I have not yet seen another program that [can do that] - and I only listed a few things - and they are updating it, so we’re gonna get even more, which is wonderful.” Alicia Grenata, PSE Curriculum Support at Pittsburgh Public Schools
Teacher Support and Efficiency: Teachers found Read&Write to be a valuable resource in managing diverse classrooms. By using the tool, teachers could better support students' individual needs, making instruction more efficient and effective.
“Working with a teacher who had a student with low vision needs and she was at the copier, copying a lot of papers to enlarge them. And just showing her you don’t have to do that - we can bring this up on the computer, you can change the font, you can change the contrast, we can put up the screen masking – it just saves so much time and energy. You don’t have to get to the copier so early in the morning, it’s all in the students hands within these literacy toolbars.” Alicia Connolly, Assistive Technology Consultant at Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Student Success Spotlight
"Speaking of a student who had like an ‘aha!’ moment – was this year. The student would come to class and sit there nice and not do any of the work. Because they could not access any of the materials. Being able to go around, with this class and show the teacher how to use Read&Write, and then having a lesson with the class, and giving students who wanted the headphones, to have it read to them - it was just like, I saw it. I could see it in his eyes. It was, world-changing to give him access to something that would help him read that. When I showed him how to respond, (because he could understand it, he just couldn’t read it), being able to formulate his thoughts - and say them? And then have the screen text that out for him? Was just… incredible. It was incredible!"
Alecia Grenata, PSE Curriculum Support at Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS)
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