Despite the best efforts of talented teachers across the US, engaging K-12 students during the pandemic was a challenge. Amid the technical difficulties of remote education and the distractions of the home classroom, learning loss proved unavoidable.

In 2020 and 2021, Congress poured nearly $191 billion into the Elementary and Secondary School Education Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. Twenty percent must be allocated to address learning loss through evidence-based interventions. Schools have until the end of September 2024 to use these funds.

One of the most effective ways to use ESSER funds is to invest in Boardmaker, a software solution. Boardmaker helps to create visual and interactive educational materials. It is particularly beneficial for students with disabilities, who often benefit from visual learning support.

Boardmaker helps to reverse learning loss through visual learning activities. Visual supports can boost comprehension, encourage independent learning, and enhance receptive and expressive communication skills for students with auditory processing difficulties. Using the Boardmaker Editor, teachers can easily create visual and interactive materials using over 45,000 symbols, web images, and photographs. Boardmaker pre-made curricula cover the most common K-12 science and social studies topics and include symbol supports to help learners.

Providing access to symbol-based communication aids helps children with communication deficits develop language and speech faster. Symbol-based tools allow children to utilize visual and auditory representations to combine words and express intent.