Use of Text-to-speech Software to Improve Reading Skills of High School Struggling Readers

The purpose of this paper is to present research findings on the effectiveness of a TTS software intervention in two pilot studies with approximately 104 high school students (grades 9-12) with a disability and at-risk for referral to special education services because of reading difficulties. The conceptual framework underlying the research is that the use of TTS software with content reading materials (e.g., social studies) for a minimum of 30 minutes per week improves subjects’ reading performance when they are not using the software. Improved reading is also expected to improve subjects’ academic performance and aspirations. The results indicated that study participants had significantly improved reading skills in the two pilot studies. The researchers attribute this improvement to students’ exposure to more text and incidental vocabulary learning through the use of the TTS software.