Irvine-based technology firm Learning Ovations will be launching its research-based software, A2i Professional Support System, in kindergarten to first grade classes this fall, as part of a $14.65 million U.S Department of Education grant awarded last year.
A2i uses algorithms to analyze student assessment data and help teachers understand the type and amount of instruction needed to maximize literacy for each student. It also directs teachers to the best learning activities for whole-group, small-group and individual instruction.
The software company received the five-year grant in partnership with University of California-Irvine; Digital Promise, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit provider of personalized learning; and MDRC, a New York-based nonprofit social policy group that will evaluate the project’s results.
The plan is to expand the program to second and third grade classrooms over the next two years.
Founder and Chief Executive Jay Connor said he’s confident the program will help make a difference in children’s lives by enabling teachers to “[improve] the delivery of individualized instruction in general education classrooms,” according to a company press release.
The software is part of the partners’ United2Read project, which aims to identify and remove barriers to technology-based literacy instruction in K-3rd grade. It will be implemented in 850 classrooms in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, serving about 22,000 students, and puts it on track to serve a total of 300 schools and 100,000 students over the course of the five-year grant. Orange County school districts involved in the program include Anaheim and La Habra, according to the company.
— Subrina Hudson
