TTS Overview

Text-to-speech (TTS) is a process where digital text is converted to spoken words. TTS is one of several curriculum enhancements options that can support learners in accessing, participating and progressing within the general curriculum. Students who do not have a well-developed ability to see, decode, attend to, or comprehend printed text cannot learn from it. Therefore, text-to-speech is an alternative to print only formats that may provide a means for a student to gain meaningful information when they struggle because of the disability condition.

One question that is frequently asked is "Should we utilize text-to-speech supports for students when this is not an allowable accommodation for statewide assessment?" We might answer this question by asking two critical questions for consideration:

• Will the provision of text-to-speech supports enable this student to more effectively or independently increase comprehension from print materials or produce written evidence of learning within classroom instructional activities?
• Are there features of text-to-speech programs that facilitate student growth in his or her ability to engage with print materials?

This section will provide information on the research for using text-to-speech, an overview of the range of text-to-speech programs that are available, and features and applications that should be considered when implementing TTS in the classroom.