We examined the educational benefits handheld devices can provide teachers and students. Working with a small company called Wireless Generation, we researched, and aided in the development of, educational handheld tools for assessing reading and early mathematics learning. These tools make easier the task of collecting and tracking student data such as scores on 'running records' assessments. Teachers capture data in the handheld, and then sync it to a Web-based resource on their desktop computer, where they are able to document and analyze students' progress over time.