Saint Paul Public Schools
Special Education
Special Education Home > Staff Resources > Assistive Technology > Reading
Reading Tools for Students
Reading_Graphic
Click to enlarge
Reading is a complex process which involves decoding, processing print and understanding language.  (Cunningham, 2003)). Students can struggle with any one of these processes.  Within the context of good instruction, assistive technology can provide the scaffolding to decode, process print and understand language.  Students need practice in reading easy text to increase their reading skills.  No intervention substitutes for reading connected text at an easy level to
BoyReadFlck
increase reading fluency skills.  The overall goal for reading instruction is increasing silent reading with comprehension. 

The Whole to Part Reading Assessment Model (Koppenhaver & Erickson) can help guide decision making to target interventions to meet specific student reading needs.   A teaching strategies manual was developed to address specific reading problems identified in the use of the Whole to Part Reading Assessment (IRI).  Contact the
bookshare
Special Education Department to find out more about the IRI training and interventions.

Print Processing
Reading along with good digitized speech (not highlighting word by word) helps build reading fluency.  Students can listen to books and read along with speaker to build print processing skills.  Many books are available in audio form through the public library.  Students with print disabilities can also sign up for Bookshare to access books in electronic
WordmakerSoftware
form.  To sign up, download the request form below.  It can also help print processing skills to increase the space between printed words to teach to eyes to track print more efficiently. 

Word Identification
Simon Sounds it Out and WordMaker software can assist students in learning  important decoding skills, such as sound letter correspondence and onset rime.
Check PD Express for training in this software.

Comprehension
Graphic
Literacy_Toolkit
SPPS LIteracy Toolkit
organizer software is particularly helpful in bolstering reading comprehension.  Inspiration software can be used to activate background knowledge and utilize KWL strategies.  Check PD Express for training in this software.

For more information about technology resources to support reading in the areas of print processing, word identification and comprehension, click to download the SPPS Literacy Toolkit below.