District pilots Everyday Speech for special-education SEL; administrators weighing scale-up

Millcreek Township School District staff reported results of a pilot using Everyday Speech, a web-based social-emotional learning (SEL) platform targeted to special-education populations and age-differentiated learners.

Michelle Petruzzo, a life-skills support teacher and aspiring-leader presenter, described a pilot that began February 18 with 10 budgeted teacher licenses and 13 sign-ups (11 active participants). The pilot included an initial live overview training, recorded sessions, mid-pilot check-ins and vendor tech support. Teachers reported that Everyday Speech reduced preparation time, supported progress monitoring aligned with IEP goals, offered age-appropriate content from kindergarten through high-school and provided vendor training and ongoing customer service.

Petruzzo said pilot participants used modules across hygiene, vocational skills, mindfulness and social cognition; teachers reported improved student engagement and easier progress monitoring. The vendor's current quote to expand the rollout showed scale discounts (one license quoted at $600 per teacher; a 40% discount was cited when purchasing 40+ licenses, with an approximate price target in the $14,000 range for a larger bundle). Administrators said they were exploring whether to increase licenses now or phase the rollout over the 2026'27 school year to stay within budget constraints.

Petruzzo emphasized the pilot included classroom teachers, speech-language pathologists and guidance staff; the vendor also provided complimentary professional development that teachers cited as a key benefit. The pilot leader described a plan to expand in phases based on negotiated pricing and available budget, and to track usage and outcomes if the district proceeds with a wider rollout.

The committee received the pilot as an information item; no formal purchase decision was made at this meeting.