Voyager Sopris Learning® today launched a flexible, blended version
of LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and
Spelling), its respected professional development course of study
that prepares educators for the challenging work of teaching
literacy. Backed by more than 30 years of evidence-based,
scientific research and more than a decade of proven success, LETRS
is relied upon by thousands of educators, as it helps
teachers understand and apply the science of effective reading
instruction.
Voyager Sopris Learning President Aaron Ingold says the new
version of LETRS, for elementary grades, now offers embedded video,
online assignments, interactive exercises, and bridges the
transition from learning new information to application of
effective strategies and skills for student success. The classroom
video clips are designed to provide models for instruction and
connect to the science of reading and writing.
“This exciting new version of LETRS is very applicable to what
teachers do every day, and they can immediately apply what they
learn,” Ingold said. “With LETRS now online, it’s a very flexible
solution providing multiple delivery methods—online, blended, or
in-person—and can be accessed anywhere, anytime, and most
significantly, on the teacher’s terms.”
According to Dr. Louisa C. Moats, nationally recognized literacy
expert and lead author of LETRS, research shows 95 percent of first
graders can be taught to read, and much reading failure can be
prevented if instruction builds the critical underlying language
skills on which reading depends.
“The harsh reality, however, is that far too many students are
poor readers; by fourth grade, on the National Assessment of
Educational Progress, about 31 percent remain ‘below basic’ on the
test of reading ability,” Dr. Moats said. “While it is important
for classrooms to be well stocked with great books, most students
must be taught how to read them. They need teachers who know how to
teach the foundational skills of reading (phoneme awareness,
phonics, and word reading) as well as vocabulary and language
comprehension. Teaching reading is complex and challenging, and
most teachers benefit enormously from learning what we teach in
LETRS.”
Districts that have trained their teachers using LETRS say their
teachers exit the course of study with the background and depth of
knowledge to teach language and literacy skills to every
student.
“LETRS allowed us to use a common curriculum, and that allowed
for the use of common practices,” said Ann Marie Thigpen,
superintendent of Niles City Schools in Ohio, whose district is a
pilot testing site for the new LETRS. “We were able to see gaps in
teaching and resources, evaluate what to keep and what to get rid
of, and re-evaluate the use of pull-out vs. push-in for Title I
services. It gave us the springboard to change our instructional
practices.”
The new, easy-to-implement LETRS is designed as a two-year
course. In the first year, areas of study include theoretical
models from reading science, phonology, basic and advanced phonics,
and screening and educational diagnostic assessment. The second
year focuses on teaching vocabulary, language and reading
comprehension, and writing.
“LETRS is the answer to helping teachers grow professionally and
to empowering them to understand the what, why, and how of
scientifically based reading instruction,” Ingold said. “As Dr.
Moats often reminds us, ‘informed teachers are our best insurance
against reading failure.’”
Widely acclaimed as a researcher, speaker, consultant, and
trainer, Dr. Moats co-authored the new LETRS with Dr. Carol A.
Tolman. Dr. Tolman has spearheaded several successful, long-term
literacy initiatives and has been a consultant at the state,
district, and school levels for more than 15 years.
The LETRS family features several other impactful professional
development products, including a new version of LETRS for Early
Childhood Educators (PreK–K). Also available are LETRS Classic
(K–12), Connecting LETRS to the Classroom (K–3), and A Principal’s
Primer (K–8). Coming later in 2018 is an administrator’s course for
LETRS.
For more information on Voyager Sopris Learning, visit
www.voyagersopris.com.
About Voyager Sopris LearningVoyager Sopris
Learning® is an education partner committed to unlocking the full
potential of every teacher and every student. We believe that the
best way to meet and exceed standards in education is to address
the underlying systems of teaching and learning, and to nurture
those systems at their most fundamental levels. Our programs and
services are based on research and classroom evidence, ensuring
they are easy to implement, teacher friendly and effective. We
offer a variety of digital and blended instructional tools,
programs, and professional development, all of which are designed
to help every teacher deliver nothing short of the highest-quality
instruction to every student. Voyager Sopris Learning is a business
unit of Cambium Learning® Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABCD).
For more information, visit www.voyagersopris.com, or find us on
Facebook or Twitter.
About Cambium Learning Group, Inc.Cambium
Learning® Group (NASDAQ: ABCD) is an award-winning educational
technology solutions leader dedicated to helping all students reach
their potential through individualized and differentiated
instruction. Using a research-based, personalized approach, Cambium
Learning Group delivers SaaS resources and instructional products
that engage students and support teachers in fun, positive, safe
and scalable environments. These solutions are provided
through Learning A-Z® (online differentiated instruction for
elementary school reading, writing and science), ExploreLearning®
(online interactive math and science simulations and a math fact
fluency solution) and Voyager Sopris Learning® (blended solutions
that accelerate struggling learners to achieve in literacy and math
and professional development for teachers). We believe that every
student has unlimited potential, that teachers matter, and that
data, instruction, and practice are the keys to success in the
classroom and beyond.
Come learn with us at www.cambiumlearning.com.
Media ContactsVoyager Sopris Learning,
Inc.Ileana Rowe, Senior Vice President of MarketingCell:
503.810.5183 ileana.rowe@voyagersopris.com
Doug ThompsonThompson Drake Public RelationsOffice: 541.322.9345
Cell: 541.419.4471 doug@thompsondrake.com
Investor Contact Cambium Learning Group, Inc.
Barbara Benson, Chief Financial
Officerinvestorrelations@cambiumlearning.com
Cambium Learning Grp., Inc. (delisted) (NASDAQ:ABCD)
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