As we move into the start of the 2025-26 academic year, literacy is one of the most discussed topics within our districts. Districts are taking a serious look at how to best address issues they may be having in the area of literacy while also making sure that their curricula are supported by the latest research. In this blog, I am going to look at how literacy can be supported for students using tools which have been proven through research to provide proper support. We have to be aware that just because some device might work for one of our students, it does not mean we can generally assume that it will work for all. We also have to have the common understanding that for certain conditions, the use of an assistive technology device is the best way to help students and should NEVER be considered “cheating” or “letting students slide.”
Let’s start with some facts so that we can look at the reality of what is happening with literacy in the US and why it is so important that we work on it at school level. According to the National Literacy Institute, 21% of adults in the US are illiterate as reported in 2024-2025 Literacy Statistics | National Literacy Institute. They also share that 54% of adults have their literacy below a 6th grade level (which is the level that newspapers, back in the day, and common online news articles are written) with around 20% of adults below the 5th grade level which, if their abilities hinder reading and other daily tasks for life and work, may fall into the category of functionally illiterate. This does not mean that those adults cannot communicate. However, literacy rates like that do create limitations on the jobs and roles those adults can actually do. This can cause much frustration for those individuals.
Just last week (from the time I am writing this), the latest NAEP (2024) results have been published: NAEP Reading Grade 12: Reading Results. The news that people are seeing is that the 12th grade results are 10 points lower. That is true, when compared to the 1992 results. The 2024 results are 3 points lower than the 2019 results. Some of that is being correlated with the influence of being out of the classroom due to the pandemic. The concern that I have when looking at the chart is that with the exception of students in the 90th percentile (so our students with very good reading skills) the other percentiles have seen a statistically significant drop in scores across the board, with that significance being from 2019 as well as the other results dating back to 1992.
Why am I starting with these facts? First, I want to make sure that you have an understanding of what the numbers actually are. Second, as we continue to work on curricula that strengthen what we do in literacy, we can begin to work on future generations having much lower numbers in the functionally illiterate range. Third, we need to be more consistent in our approaches and understanding of the tools which can help as literacy levels can dictate much of what an individual is able to accomplish throughout the rest of their lives.
With that in mind, here are some manipulatives which are great to use when our students are in the early stages of literacy development. One of the important facts to remember is that using manipulatives as a tool when putting words together and learning about how to spell enhances the student’s ability to comprehend. If we stick to the idea that a student should just write the letters out or trace them with a writing instrument, then the overall concept is visual with fine motor inputs. This approach can be frustrating to those students who have not yet achieved a level of gross motor planning that can move them into the fine motor work. That frustration can then interfere with learning around the letters and creation of words. Having simple tools like Sensory Gel Letters from Playlearn or Trace Alphabet and Trace Numbers from SiliShapes can add a gross motor side that promotes a smoother transition into the fine motor through tracing. These work better than simple plastic magnetic letters as the texture adds a tactile dimension to the learning. As the students get older and the usage of the words takes on specific contexts, using tools like Alphabet Pebbles or Phonics Pebbles by Yellow Door make more sense as the depth now becomes focused on the creation of phrases and sentences.
As we move into the middle stages and later stages of literacy development, we want to take a look at those assistive technologies which can augment what the students are doing, even if they deal with conditions like dyslexia or other reading issues. I am a proponent of reader pens for those individuals who struggle with reading. The auditory support is NOT cheating or limiting the ability for an individual to read. Rather, it enhances the ability of the individual to process the words and comprehend the text. We have to be cautious about which pens we use though. Those of you who have heard me speak know that I only recommend three manufacturers when it comes to reader pens and those are C-Pens, Scanmarker, and OrCam. All three manufacturers use an evidence-based approach to the design and features of their pens with high quality cameras and processors to keep high levels of accuracy and translation. When people ask me which is the best, the simple answer is to ask about the end user and their needs. Each pen from these manufacturers has features that can help individuals based on their needs. However, the “best” pen for any individual is the one that is easiest to use with the most impact. If you do have questions about which pen makes sense for certain individuals or your institution in general, feel free to reach out to our resident expert, Jodi Szuter at jszuter@schoolhealth.com or me so we can learn more about the end users.
Outside of pens, we have found that various types of software are also helpful, especially when we are dealing with older students and adults. If we start with basic communication, Widgit is a wonderful software that can create communication pages as well as creating templates for AAC devices. One of the nice alternative uses of Widgit is to use it and its library to create mini flashcard sets which can then be saved and printed when necessary. The power of this software outside of direct communication is that it can be utilized for projects like outdoor communication signage, creation of charts for various courses, flashcards as mentioned above, and many more. You can test this out with a 30 day trial courtesy of School Health and Widgit at: https://widgitonline.com/en/offer?code=SH2024
Another piece of software that helps indirectly with literacy, more on the notetaking side, is Genio Notes, which was formerly Glean. Notes are able to be taken with focused insights while the lecture is being recorded. This allows for those who need more time to process to cue in on significant points without the concern of missing other important pieces. It also has imbued AI to allow for synthesis of the notes afterwards. One can also generate quizzes to enhance their own review for upcoming tests. Why do I include this on the literacy side? Notetaking can be quite difficult for those with a variety of conditions. That can make earnest studying difficult and create learning gaps for those students who are academically able.
On the communication side, some individuals may have the cognitive ability to communicate but have physical restrictions. Voiceitt is a software which can give those individuals the opportunity to communicate their thoughts more effectively than having to rely on a series of communication buttons in some standardized AAC types of software.
Finally, most computers today have text-to-speech options. If the student has a good computer, be sure to have those activated. Reading and communication are the foundation for living the best life possible. As we continue to develop how we are working with all of our students in literacy, be sure to include the right tools to augment the learning process, especially for those students who need additional support.
Should you have any questions about your own approaches and how some of these tools can be added to your toolkit, feel free to reach out to me directly at rheipp@schoolhealth.com. May this be a year where we all take literacy to the next level for all of our students!