The Norwalk Public Schools Special Education Curriculum Subcommittee convened on December 18, 2024, to discuss advancements in reading programs aimed at enhancing student literacy. A key focus of the meeting was the introduction of a new reading progress indicator designed to assess students' reading levels and tailor instruction accordingly.

The program utilizes a reading progress indicator that provides a grade equivalent for each student, allowing educators to determine whether a student requires support in reading fluency or comprehension. The two pathways available are "Clear Fluency," which emphasizes reading fluency, and "Fast Forward," which concentrates on comprehension and foundational reading skills such as phonemic awareness and blending.

During the session, it was highlighted that after students complete the reading progress indicator, they gain access to a personalized library of books. The program incorporates artificial intelligence to assist students in their reading journey. Initially, the AI reads the selected book to the student and introduces relevant vocabulary. Following this, students are required to read the book themselves, with the AI providing real-time corrections for any mispronounced words, ensuring that students do not progress until they accurately read each word.

The process is structured to encourage self-improvement, as students are scored on their reading performance and are prompted to re-read the material to enhance their scores. The program is designed to be completed within a 30-minute timeframe, ensuring focused and efficient learning sessions.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of these innovative reading strategies in supporting students' literacy development, particularly within special education. The subcommittee plans to monitor the implementation of these programs and assess their effectiveness in improving reading outcomes for students.