Amplify Launches Speech Recognition Tool

Amplify, a publisher of curriculum and assessment programs, has developed an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system to power voice-enabled education products.

The Amplify ASR system converts spoken language into written text, enabling users to interact with educational software using voice commands while providing detailed feedback on pronunciation, prosody, and more. The technology supports multiple applications, including reading assessment, conversational tutoring, digital activity input, and classroom monitoring. Amplify's ASR application will also compare student speech to target texts and identify areas where teachers can provide additional support for reading fluency and comprehension.

"Voice interaction is becoming increasingly important for young students using educational software, and we're seeing tremendous potential for growth in this area," said Amplify's chief product officer, Alexandra Walsh, in a statement. "By developing our own ASR solution, we can test, refine, and deliver voice-enabled features that directly support student learning outcomes while meeting our high standards for safety, accountability, fairness, and efficacy."

The Amplify ASR application will support Amplify's voice-interactive instructional programs for the 2025-2026 school year across the following four key categories:

• Reading assessment and practice, focusing on phonics, automaticity, and prosody.
• Conversational tutoring systems.
• Voice input for digital activities and assessments.
• Classroom monitoring tools that provide teacher feedback and student insights.

The Amplify ASR application will initially replace Soapbox's ASR functionality in Amplify's mCLASS Literacy and Boost Reading programs.