Midlothian Council is making literacy software available to local families to provide help for children who have difficulties in reading.
It is making Read&Write free to download under a partnership with supplier Texthelp. Local schools are to contact families by the end of November on how to access the software.
It provides support tasks such as reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, researching assignments and proofing written work.
Midlothian’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Ellen Scott, said: “This Read&Write initiative will give all families the opportunity to benefit from this life changing free software, as well as supporting children who may need extra help, if for example they are dyslexic, where background screens can also be utilised.
“The software allows our pupils to put into words their inner talents by helping to extend their vocabulary, write more complex sentences and longer stories, and assists our teachers to challenge and support each student effectively.”
The initiative is part of the council’s £10.5 million Equipped for Learning project, which also provides every pupil of the council’s schools with a free digital device.
