Classroom behavior is often a reflection of how students feel, whether they’re frustrated, overwhelmed, or confident in their ability to succeed. For some students, these challenges come from learning differences or undiagnosed needs, while for others, it’s about having the right tools to bridge the gap between their ability and performance.
The U.S. Department of Education guidance says that by providing tools tailored to individual needs students engage more effectively in classroom activities, leading to improved behavior and academic performance.
Tools like Read&Write play an essential role in addressing these challenges. By making learning more accessible and less stressful, Read&Write helps students feel more confident and in control, leading to better focus, engagement, and classroom behavior.
How Read&Write promotes positive behavior
Read&Write helps students by offering features that make learning easier and reducing frustration. Here’s how:
- Highlighters and Collect Highlights
Some students struggle to organize their ideas or break tasks into smaller steps. Highlighting and annotation let them mark important points and keep their thoughts clear. This builds confidence and helps them work more efficiently, leading to a greater sense of accomplishment and calm.
- Prediction and Check It
Writing can be tough for students who don’t know how to start or worry about making mistakes. Tools like word prediction and grammar checking guide them as they write, making it easier to get their thoughts on paper. This reduces anxiety and boosts self-esteem.
- Read Aloud
Instead of constantly asking teachers for help, students can use the Read Aloud feature to check their own work. This fosters independence, confidence, and focus while reducing interruptions.
- Audio Maker
Some students learn better by listening rather than reading. Audio Maker allows them to convert written materials into audio files, which they can listen to at their own pace. This flexibility supports diverse learning styles and keeps students engaged.
- Easy for educators to use
Read&Write fits into classrooms without requiring teachers to overhaul their lesson plans. It works alongside existing strategies, helping educators spend more time teaching and less time managing classroom behaviors. This balance makes it easier to maintain a positive, focused classroom environment.
PRODUCT
Read&Write provides reading and writing tools to help every student learn in a way that works for them
Education for everyone
Helping individual students is important, but giving everyone access to tools like Read&Write ensures all students have the same opportunities to succeed. When every classroom in a district has access, teachers can create consistent, supportive learning environments that benefit all learners.
One of the biggest advantages of district-wide access is its ability to improve behaviors across multiple classrooms. Many classroom issues—like disengagement, acting out, or refusal to complete tasks—stem from frustration or feeling left behind academically. By providing tools that meet the needs of diverse learners, schools can address these behaviors on a larger scale. This not only transforms individual classrooms but also raises success levels district-wide, creating more calm and productive learning environments.
Take Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) as an example. With district-wide access to Read&Write, educators like Alecia Grenata have seen dramatic improvements in classroom behaviors and student engagement since implementing the tool:
"This year, a student had an ‘aha!’ moment. He used to sit quietly in class, doing no work because he couldn’t access the materials. When I showed the teacher how to use Read&Write and gave students headphones so text could be read aloud, I saw it in his eyes, it was life-changing for him to finally have access to something that helped him read."
Providing tools district-wide ensures every student has the chance to reach their full potential. It also removes the stigma of assistive technology by making it available to all learners, creating classrooms where every student can participate fully, reducing frustration, and encouraging engagement.
A future of calm, connected classrooms
Tools like Read&Write are changing classrooms for the better. They help students feel less stressed, stay engaged, and build positive behaviors that last a lifetime. The U.S. Department of Education highlights that technology can empower students by meeting their individual needs, helping them participate more meaningfully in learning activities. When students feel supported, they thrive both behaviorally and academically.
When schools implement district-wide access to tools like Read&Write, they ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their challenges. Not only leveling the playing field but also allowing educators to focus on teaching, while students gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed.
SUCCESS STORY
Transforming literacy for every learner at Pittsburgh Public Schools
Read&Write and OrbitNote are available to 20,000 students across 54 Pittsburgh schools, helping them to improve learning outcomes.
