Colonial District Pioneers Widespread Auditory Enhancments

Many Colonial School District teachers no longer need to ask their students “Can you hear me now?” thanks to an IDEA and Technology Grant through the Delaware Department of Education. The grant made possible the purchase of $63,000 of sound field amplification equipment. This money allowed for installation of 57 classroom systems and use of eight portable devices in nine elementary schools.

In an attempt to maximize the impact on reading achievement within the district, critical elementary years were targeted for the project. Kindergarten, First and Second grade regular education classrooms, in which students with special needs are receiving instruction, were selected to participate. This selection criterion allowed the greatest number of students, with and without disabilities, to benefit from an improved listening environment in the least restrictive setting.

With a great deal of support from building principals in the few weeks prior to the opening of school, targeted classrooms were identified and systems were installed. More than seventy teachers and Speech-Language Pathologists attended a training by the vendor’s president and audiologist, while building custodians assisted with installation. District Assistive Technology Specialists Barbara Brooks and Debbie Whitby-Norman, who authored the grant, are providing ongoing technical assistance.