What is new about Learning Ally in Edmonds School District this year?
We now have a district wide license of Learning Ally and every qualifying student will have access to this tool.
All SPED and Lap/Title teachers will be given both instructor and qualifier access.
All SPED teachers and most qualifying students have been added to the district's account.
Learning Ally is a tool to support struggling readers who meet the qualifying criteria who do not receive SPED services.
What are the Usernames and Passwords:
Teachers-All teachers added by Learning Ally have their email as their username and their password is reading. Once you login the first time, it is recommended that you change your password.
Students-Username: their school username (everything before the @ in their school email), Password: reading-do not have them change their password.
How do I learn how to use Learning Ally and teach my students to use it?
Learning Ally has created a Quick Links for a Variety of Training Options which are short how-to videos. You will find videos of how to do everything to set-up your class and get your students reading below.
What is Learning Ally?
Learning Ally is a subscription-based nonprofit organization providing an online library of accessible audio textbooks and literature titles. All text material is read by trained volunteers who work with Learning Ally staff to record and produce accessible audiobooks.
Who Can Qualify for Learning Ally?
From: Eligibility FAQ from Learning Ally
Reading Deficit Students who struggle with reading, who are not responding to instructional interventions, or who need a reading accommodation to keep up with course content while working to improve reading skills. A Competent Authority should conduct student observations, assessments, and a review of student work to determine if the student’s reading skill deficits are consistent enough to prohibit accessing standard texts at the expected benchmarks for the student’s grade.
Blind or Visually Impaired Students who are blind or visually impaired.
Other Physical Disability Students who have a physical impairment that prevents them from reading standard print, such as can’t hold a book, turn the pages of a book, etc.
Do ELL, ESL, or ESOL students qualify to receive audiobooks from Learning Ally?
No. Learning English does not qualify an individual to receive Learning Ally audiobooks; however, if an ELL, ESL, or ESOL student exhibits the characteristics of a reading deficit, or a diagnosed learning disability, has a physical disability that prohibits the use of standard print, or is blind or visually impaired that individual can be deemed eligible by a Qualified Educator. Here is our eligibility guide for general information. In addition, see the document “Learning AllyTM Audiobooks and ELL, ESL, ESOL,” which provides information on how audiobooks support an ELL, ESL, or ESOL student who exhibits the characteristics of a learning disability, or has a reading disability.
Can all students have access to Learning Ally?
No. Only students that have been deemed eligible by a Competent Authority within the guidelines of Learning Ally Terms of Service are eligible for access to Learning Ally audiobooks.
To learn more, see the Eligibility FAQ.
Additional students, who do not qualify, can be supported by Learning Ally during whole group instruction. For example, if in class or on site, educators can share books using a classroom display. If in a Zoom meeting during distance learning, educators can also share the content while teaching, but please do not record the meeting.
If a student has an IEP or 504, does that automatically qualify them for Learning Ally?
No. A student must exhibit the characteristics of a learning disability, have a diagnosed learning disability, be blind or visually impaired or have a physical impairment that prohibits the use of standard print. IEP and 504 are legal designations and do not automatically qualify a student; however, it is very likely that students who qualify for access to Learning Ally audiobooks will fall into these legal designations.
What are the different types of educator access to support students?
Instructors-Educators, teachers and para educators are able manage their own roster of students and familiarize themselves with the tool in order to support student use.
Qualifiers- certify that any newly added student meets the eligibility criteria.
Administrators-create new instructor and qualifier accounts for appropriate. This may include TOSAs, Teacher Librarians and program coordinators.
Further, a family email address can be provided when creating new student accounts. This enables direct communication to the parent or guardian from Learning Ally. Meanwhile, details like username and password, as well as instructions for use, are best provided in more personalized communication from those who work closely with the student at school (i.e. teachers).
