As 2019 comes to an end, we not only close the books on another year of coast-to-coast literacy instruction, we complete another decade of providing teachers with the skills and knowledge to transform the lives of students of all ages through literacy. Individually and collectively, Wilson educators continue making a positive and significant impact in schools and districts throughout the country.
As knowledge and awareness about dyslexia and the acquisition of reading skills continue to expand in the U.S. and internationally, there is an ever-increasing demand for effective, evidence-based, explicit reading instruction. We are proud to be at the forefront of professional learning that addresses this need.
During this past decade, we launched Just Words® as a Tier 2 intervention for students in grades 4–12 with mild-to-moderate gaps in reading proficiency; enhanced and expanded Fundations® and the Wilson Reading System® (WRS); created a professional learning pathway for educators that guides schools and districts in building program sustainability; established a professional credentialing system for WRS instructors; partnered with several colleges and universities to embed WRS into graduate degree programs; and grew our Wilson® Accredited Partners to 21 in 15 states.
This past year was equally productive. We entered into a new higher education partnership with Fairfield University in Connecticut; collaborated with Great Minds® on the release of Geodes® Level 2, a readable library that aligns with Fundations Level 2 and Great Minds’ literacy program, Wit & Wisdom®; and expanded our virtual implementation support services to reach over 700 educators across the country.
Professional learning at all levels remains paramount. We also assisted several hundred school districts of all sizes through professional learning COMPASS plans in elementary, middle, and high schools. More than 200 educators were certified as Fundations® and Just Words® Facilitators and Presenters to provide ongoing support to colleagues using these programs. This school year, more than 300 additional educators are pursuing these certifications. Last year, 1,209 individuals received WRS Level I and WRS Level II certification, leading to Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner (W.D.P.) and Wilson® Dyslexia Therapist (W.D.T.) credentials. This year, 1,585 individuals are pursuing WRS Level I and Level II certification. Additionally, 14 educators from 13 states became certified Wilson® Credentialed Trainers, working within districts and at Wilson® Accredited Partner organizations. Eleven educators are now midway through this intensive internship to become Trainers.
We are inspired by the commitment of the many organizations providing opportunities for educators, parents, and others to explore the latest in dyslexia research, including the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and state IDA branches, The Dyslexia Foundation, Decoding Dyslexia state chapters, Everyone Reading in Illinois and New York, the Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation and numerous other professional and community groups.
We close the year and the 2010s with gratitude for the difference all Wilson educators are making in the lives of their students and their communities. We look forward to all that 2020, and the ’20s, have in store!
Pictured, clockwise from top left: Barbara and Ed Wilson with Barbara Wirotsko during a Dyslexia Awareness Month event for the Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation; Representatives from Decoding Dyslexia state chapters joined Barbara, Ed, and Wilson staff for a reception during the IDA annual conference in Oregon; Director of Partner Development / Literacy Advisor Connie Steigerwald led WRS 4th Edition Institutes; Fundations students in Connecticut; a sampling of books from the Geodes Level 2 Library; WRS in action.