(as published in the Prince George's County Gazette)

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A special education school in Lanham has begun using state-of-the-art technology to teach its students, many of whom have learning disabilities ranging from dyslexia to autism.

High Road Academy of Prince George's County, which teaches 80 students ranging from grades two to 12, began using iPads last fall to improve the reading, math and motor skills of its students. Staff members said the tablet computers — first released nationally last April and used at the school since November — have increased students' interest in learning.

"The students flock so much to technology," school administrative head Corrine Anyanwu said. "They get to do something fun that they feel confident in doing, and they're learning at the same time. They really look forward to it."

High Road Academy of Prince George's County is a non-public school, run by Yardley, Pa.-based Specialized Education Services Inc. It is one of the company's 42 schools in nine states, all of which specialize in special education. The group has 13 schools in Maryland and five in Prince George's County.

Staff at the Lanham school hoped the five new iPads would provide a more interactive alternative to textbooks and ordinary pencil-and-paper assignments. Students use the devices to do math problems, practice reading, research topics on the Internet and even play games to help with motor skills.

"We learn math and English," said 11th-grader Tre' Brighthaupt, 16. "I like it because it keeps me learning and interested."

Of the Lanham school's 80 students, 60 are high-school-aged. The school is funded by the state and works with the county school system, accepting referred students with learning disabilities and anxiety disorders and educating them free of charge.

"They do best in an environment such as ours, where there's a smaller student-to-teacher ratio," said school director Annette Mercer. The school has nine teachers and two reading specialists. "In the public schools, you'll find that a one-size-fits-all technique is used. But here, we don't. Everything is individualized."

The school, which opened in 2002 and moved to Lanham four years ago, has also added five SMART Boards, interactive touch-screen whiteboards that allow teachers and students to write and solve problems. Teacher LaToya Clemons of Laurel said the new tools have given students a way to reinforce lessons they've learned in more traditional ways.

"They use it in conjunction to further skills that they already know," Clemons said. "It helps them to understand a concept ... instead of just always writing it."

dhill@gazette.net