PARCC-Compatible Classroom Headphones for New York & Illinois Elementary Schools

The AVID AE-36 is a single-plug TRRS classroom headset with a built-in microphone at $11.89, the lowest price of the three. For New York and Illinois elementary schools it hits the sweet spot: it fits smaller heads, the single 3.5mm TRRS connector handles both listening audio and any mic-based tasks on standard student devices, and the price lets a school outfit whole grade levels. It doubles as the daily headset for reading apps and listening centers between testing windows. Distributed by Encore Data Products.

• Single-plug TRRS with a built-in mic on one 3.5mm connector.
• Sized and weighted for elementary students.
• Handles PARCC-style testing audio plus everyday classroom apps.
• Lowest per-unit price for outfitting whole elementary grade levels.
• Orderable by New York or Illinois district purchase order.

For a single elementary standard that covers both daily use and testing, the AE-36 wins: the right connector, an elementary-friendly fit, and the lowest price for buying at grade-level scale.

The AVID AE-55KL is the sturdier single-plug TRRS headset with a mic at $12.99. It uses the same one-connector TRRS approach as the AE-36, so it is equally at home with PARCC-style testing audio and speaking tasks, but its black-and-silver build is aimed at the classrooms that go through headsets fastest. For a New York or Illinois building that wants extra durability at a small premium, it is the step-up pick.

• Single-plug TRRS with a built-in mic, same testing-ready design.
• Sturdier black-and-silver build for high-wear rooms.
• Works for PARCC-style audio and mic tasks on 3.5mm devices.
• Orderable by NY or IL district PO alongside the AE-36.

The AE-55KL trails the AE-36 for elementary only on price and the smaller-head fit. Choose it for the classrooms where durability matters most and the extra dollar per unit is worth it.

The Hamilton SC-7V SchoolMate Deluxe is an over-ear stereo headphone with a 3.5mm plug and inline volume control at $12.29. It has no microphone, so it is the pick for listening-only seats: testing sessions and centers where students only need to hear audio, plus everyday read-aloud and media stations. The built-in volume limiting caps output for young-student hearing safety regardless of the device setting. Distributed by Encore Data Products.

• Over-ear headphone with a 3.5mm plug, no microphone.
• Inline volume control caps output for hearing safety.
• Ideal for listening-only testing seats and center rotations.
• Comfortable over-ear fit for extended elementary listening.

The SC-7V is not a mic headset, so it does not cover speaking tasks. Choose it for the listening-only seats where a mic is unnecessary and hardware volume limiting is a plus; use the AE-36 where a microphone is needed.