Laureate Learning Systems has been publishing award-winning software for special education since 1982. Clinical experts who understand the unique needs of students with disabilities author all of our programs. Laureate offers over 45 programs specifically designed to teach critical cognitive, language, auditory processing, and reading skills to students with a wide range of special needs. Here are answers to some of the questions administrators frequently ask us.

Q. Are Laureate programs research-based?
All Laureate programs are based on current linguistic, psycholinguistic, and instructional research. Our new Sterling Edition programs as well as The Sentence Master were developed with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). The SBIR grant program is highly competitive. Reviewers and the supporting agencies demand rigorous evidence of the research bases of funded projects as well as demonstrations of software effectiveness.

Q. Does Laureate offer a cost effective way to meet parents’ requests for more individual language intervention services for their children?
A. Yes, because Laureate programs can be used independently, your students can receive individualized intervention right in their own classrooms. You don’t need to hire additional special educators or speech-language pathologists to deliver the services. Even students with the most severe disabilities can use Laureate’s programs with the assistance of a teacher assistant. This means your students can receive quality individualized language services five days a week. By enabling speech-language pathologists to recommend more language intervention services, Laureate software helps students meet their IEP goals more quickly and efficiently.

Q. Will my special education professionals have to spend a lot of time instructing teachers and their assistants on software use in the classroom?
A. No, not with the new Sterling Edition language intervention programs. All of them come with an automatic instructional delivery system called Optimized Intervention®. The system is extremely easy to use. Simply choose the student’s name, the program, and click on GO. The system begins with probe testing to determine where to begin training. Once training begins, Optimized Intervention automatically adjusts instructional delivery based on student responses. Optimized Intervention collects trial-by-trial student data and the Sterling Administration System provides built-in analysis and reporting capabilities. Delivering individualized language intervention sessions couldn’t be easier or more cost-effective.

Q. Can Laureate software make it easier for my special educators and speech-language pathologists to document student performance?
A. Yes, accountability requires data and all Laureate programs collect and report data that can be used to document performance. Your special educators and speech-language pathologists can use Laureate software for alternative assessments as well as documentation of student performance for individual portfolios. Laureate’s all-new Sterling Edition programs have enhanced automatic data collection, analysis, and built-in reporting capabilities that significantly ease the documentation burden.

Q. Do you have programs that can meet the unique needs of all the students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) we now have?
A. Students with autism have been successfully using Laureate’s software for over twenty years. We currently offer a Two-Level Autism Package of programs especially chosen to meet the language and communication needs of your students. Level 1 takes students from cause-and-effect to beginning word combinations while Level 2 ranges from early syntax to basic language mastery. If you’re looking for an effective reading program for this population, try The Sentence Master authored by Dr. Marion Blank. This revolutionary approach systematically provides instruction to turn students into successful readers.

Q. Does Laureate have software to address literacy issues in pre-kindergarten programs?
A. We have put together a Preschool Language and Literacy Package consisting of programs to build vocabulary, develop syntax, and encourage emergent literacy skills. These programs will help your students develop the language abilities they need to achieve school success. These language intervention programs combine print with pictures to help children begin the process of associating graphemes and phonemes.

Q. Do you have software for students with severe/profound disabilities?
A. Starting with cause and effect games designed for students functioning below six months of age, Laureate has software that can meet the needs of students with the most severe disabilities. High-quality natural sounding speech, colorful graphics, and engaging animation captivate, encourage, and instruct users…and no reading is required. All of our programs are easily accessible through a single switch, touch sensitive screen, keyboard, or mouse.

Q. Do you have anything for students who are having problems learning to read?
A. For students with weak oral language and reading skills, Laureate has put together a specially priced Elementary Language and Reading Package of software that will meet the cognitive, language, and reading needs of your elementary students with identified disabilities as well as your disadvantaged learners. These research-based programs will provide your students with the skills they need for academic success.

Q. We have kindergarten and elementary school students learning English as a Second Language. Do you have programs that can help them gain basic oral English competence?
A. Laureate offers special pricing on the English Language Learners (ELL) Package of language development software. This package includes programs to train English word order, vocabulary (including irregular verbs), and syntax.

Q. Can your software help make inclusion work in our district?
A. Because Laureate software is designed to be used independently, students can receive individualized language and reading instruction in their own classrooms. Not only will your students reach their educational goals, they’ll build their confidence, independence, and self-esteem.