THROUGH its Special Education Program, the Public School System has led the way in implementing a leading technology tool in the Commonwealth, designed to support student engagement with reading materials.
Garapan and Sinapalo elementary schools are pioneering the use of Everway (formerly Texthelp), one of the nation’s leading providers of assistive technology and literacy support tools.
“The PSS Special Education Program is a pioneer in the use of Everway both within the school district and the CNMI. Our goal is to make this available to all public school students regardless of their learning needs. We will continue to explore ways to support learning for all public school students,” said PSS SPED Program Director Donna M. Flores.
“Our school district initiatives focus on improving reading outcomes and overall student achievement in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. This assistive tool will support all of our struggling readers,” Flores added.
On Feb. 3 and 4, Dave Butler, the national account director for Everway, facilitated in-person sessions on the use of Everway tools at Garapan and Sinapalo elementary schools.
Everway uses multiple technology-based platforms, including uPar (Universal Protocol for Accommodations in Reading) and Read&Write for Google.
A teaching tool for third graders and above, uPar measures how many additional grade levels students can comprehend when text is read to them, compared to their independent reading level.
Read&Write for Google is a floating literacy toolbar that provides reading and comprehension support to students. Read&Write helps students improve their spelling, expand their vocabulary, and enhance their writing across the curriculum.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho joined SPED Director Donna Flores, Instructional Technology and Distance Education Program Director Dr. Lorraine Catienza and University of Guam-CEDDERS’ Jun De Leon, and PSS Instructional Technology in the formal launching of the assistive tool program at Garapan Elementary School.
(CEDDERS stands for Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, & Service.)
“How can we improve reading trends after the pandemic’s impact on learning? How can we better support our struggling students? That’s why interventions through our Special Education Program and other PSS initiatives exist,” Commissioner of Education Camacho said.
“Everway is directly helping our students in every possible way. This is inclusive for all,” he added.
According to SPED Director Flores, with Everway, any student with a laptop can access the assistive tool.
“Even a student who is doing well will do even better,” she added.
The program is now available to third- through fifth-graders at Garapan and Sinapalo elementary schools, with the goal of scaling up to all grade levels in the coming months. Grades three to five are considered the “reading to learn” stage.
PSS SPED has partnered with the school district’s Instructional Technology and Distance Education Program in ensuring that the tool is accessible at all elementary, middle, and high school campuses on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
At Garapan and Sinapalo elementary schools, Buttler demonstrated how the tool works with reading materials, including PSS’ existing online reading program, and how both can integrate seamlessly.
For its part, UOG-CEDDERS supported the in-person sessions to assess the next steps for PSS-wide implementation. Virtual follow-up sessions will be scheduled to ensure infrastructure support for district-wide rollout.
Special Education Program State Director Donna M. Flores introduces Dave Butler, the national account director for Everway, seated, background, who facilitated in-person sessions on the use of the reading tool on Feb. 3 and 4 at Garapan and Sinapalo elementary schools.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, standing, gestures as he talks about the Public School System’s goal to improve the reading skills of all students.
Dave Butler, the national account director for Everway, seated, back to the camera, talks to classroom teachers and school district personnel at Garapan Elementary School.
Dave Butler, the national account director for Everway, makes a presentation at Sinapalo Elementary School on Rota.
Dave Butler explains how Everway can improve student reading outcomes.
School principals Derwin John, Annette Calvo, and Daisy Quitugua, partly hidden, with University of Guam-CEDDERS’ Jun De Leon at Sinapalo Elementary on Rota.
A Sinapalo Elementary School teacher uses an online assistive tool.
Sinapalo Elementary School teacher Jesusa Calvo logs on to her laptop to try out the new assistive tool.
Dr. Lorraine Catienza, Instructional Technology and Distance Education Program director, with Sinapalo Elementary School teachers and University of Guam-CEDDERS’ Jun De Leon.
