Wilson Reading System Courses

The WRS Introductory course is a highly interactive workshop. Teacher input and active engagement occur via activities and discussions throughout each session to optimize motivation and learning. 

The course provides participants with an overview of the WRS 4th Edition curriculum. It serves as the prerequisite for WRS Level I Certification, which has IDA Accreditation Plus recognition. Over three consecutive days (16.5 hours), this course examines how WRS addresses the teaching of phonemic awareness, word identification, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension through an integrated study of phonology, morphology, and orthography with students in grade two and above with persistent phonological coding deficits.

Participants learn about reading research, dyslexia, appropriate student identification and placement, program implementation, progress monitoring, scheduling, and creating a successful learning environment. Principles of language structure and how to teach language with direct, multisensory methods are demonstrated and practiced during the course. Participants explore the standard 10-part Wilson Lesson Plan and practice planning and delivering a lesson while receiving modeling and feedback from a Wilson® Credentialed Trainer during the course.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Define dyslexia and describe common characteristics.
• Explain the process of identifying appropriate students and placing them in the Wilson Reading System.
• Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential and cumulative, engaging multiple learning modalities with multisensory techniques, repetition, and feedback.
• Create an optimal learning environment, prepare a lesson plan, and practice techniques.
• Understand the key components of instruction and presentation of lessons in three blocks:
  • Block 1 – Word Study/Foundational Reading Skills: Lesson Plan Parts 1-5
    • Phonemic Awareness, Decoding, Vocabulary, High Frequency Word Reading, Single-Word Accuracy/Automaticity, Phrasing/Prosody, Fluency and Comprehension at the Sentence Level
  • Block 2 – Spelling/Foundational Writing Skills: Lesson Plan Parts 6-8
    • Phoneme Segmentation, Encoding (Spelling), English Spelling Rules, High Frequency Word Spelling, Vocabulary, Concept Mark Up, Sentence-Level Punctuation and Proofreading
  • Block 3 – Fluency/Comprehension: Lesson Plan Parts 9-10
    • Vocabulary, Listening/Silent and Oral Reading Fluency and Comprehension, Narrative and Informational Text

Participants may enroll in the WRS Level I Certification Training or the online course WRS Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader (Steps 1-6) within five years of completing a WRS Introductory Course.

Prerequisite: None

Duration: 3 consecutive days (16.5 hours)

Graduate Credit: One graduate credit (optional) is available through Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA upon completion of course requirements. Please see Process for Graduate Credit for details.

This online course with embedded assessments is a component of WRS Level I Certification. It presents in detail the multisensory structured language (MSL) instruction that is required for teaching students beyond grade two with significant word-level deficits who are unresponsive to previous instruction.

The WRS Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader (Steps 1-6) online course provides practical application of reading research, with particular emphasis on phonological awareness, phonics, and spelling at the beginning levels of decoding and encoding. It also provides specific procedures to teach the concepts presented in WRS Steps 1-6, including instruction on the following syllable types: closed, vowel-consonant-e, open, and final stable. The course includes additional topics such as diagnostic teaching and differentiating instruction through pacing, high frequency word instruction, vocabulary instruction, fluency instruction, dyslexia, listening and reading comprehension strategies, use of differentiated texts, and handwriting.

Registration: Individuals interested in this professional learning offering can register online. This registration is for the online course only, without certification.

Prerequisites: WRS Introductory Course (completed within the last five years)

Duration: 90 hours; must be completed within 12 months

Requirements: Complete all online course modules, including videos, activities, and assigned required reading. Complete each of the nine assessments (Lesson Plan Review, Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Topics I, Step 4, Step 5, Step 6, and Topics II) with a grade of 80% or higher. If pursuing graduate credit, participation is required in six different threaded discussion topics.

Upon Completion: Successful completion of this course, when combined with the WRS Steps 1-6 Practicum, will result in WRS Level I Certification with eligibility for the Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner (W.D.P.) credential.

Graduate Credit: Up to six graduate credits (optional) are available through Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA, upon completion of course requirements. Please see Process for Graduate Credit for details.

WRS Level I Certification involves online coursework and this web-based practicum containing observations with a Wilson® Credentialed Trainer. Participants should be comfortable with the use of computers.

Registration

Please review the WRS Level I Certification information, Web-Based Practicum requirements, and technical requirements prior to registration, as the commitment is considerable. It is highly recommended that you have a practicum student in mind who appears to fit the selection criteria.

Please note that capacity for this option is limited, dependent on trainer availability.

If you are interested in pursuing online certification, you may register online.

Requirements for Web-Based Practicum

The online certification option requires completion of specific activities to support the web-based training model. These activities are in addition to the regular WRS Level I Certification requirements. Individuals have 12 months from the date of enrollment to complete the online course and practicum.

• Complete Technology Walkthrough Appointment with assigned Wilson® Credentialed Trainer.
• Be observed five times teaching the practicum student via web-conferencing software designated by Wilson Language Training. Each observation is scheduled with the Wilson® Credentialed Trainer and lasts approximately 60-75 minutes.
• Submit all required paperwork associated with observation appointments as outlined in the Web-based Practicum Observation Checklists

Technical Requirements for Online Observations

For web-based observations, participants must have a computer system with speakers, an external webcam, and microphone functionality (through computer or integrated into webcam). The computer system must meet the following specifications:

External Webcam: Hue HD Webcams are recommended and can be purchased from www.huehd.com. Cameras that are integrated into laptops do not serve the needs of online observations.

CPU: 1 GHz processor minimum, 1.5 GHz processor recommended

Memory: 512 MB RAM

Operating System: Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1; MAC OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or higher

Disk Space: 50 MB minimum required for installation; additional space recommended

Connection: USB 2.0 or 3.0 recommended (USB 1.1 compatible)

Resolution: 800 x 600 Supported; 1024 x 768 or higher recommended

Video/Sound Card: 16 bit or higher; DirectX 9.0 or higher required

These requirements represent minimum specifications provided by the current web-conferencing software designated by Wilson Language Training and are subject to change.

This workshop delves into essential techniques and strategies to improve all aspects of Wilson Reading System® (WRS) small-group instruction through hands-on practice and discussion and prepares participants for the WRS Group Mastery Practicum.

Registration Process

1. View current offerings here. If there is an event of interest listed, please click the “More Info” button next to it for workshop details and registration information.
2. If the workshop is offered by Wilson Language Training®, click the “Register” button to access the registration form.
3. Complete registration and submit.

We recommend that you review the course information below and contact us if you have any questions.

Schools and districts may want to explore the option of including WRS Level II Certification for teachers in a COMPASS Plan. Please contact us to start the discussion.

Prerequisites

• WRS Level I Certification
• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field

Duration: Three consecutive days (15 hours)

Upon Completion

At the completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Identify factors for successful WRS small-group instruction.
• Review the planning for and execution of WRS Lesson Blocks 1, 2, and 3 and differentiating instruction for maximum group success.
• Develop a word-conscious lesson.
• Understand the role of spelling in writing fluency.
• Determine how to ensure students successfully access complex text; both literary and informational text structures.
• Understand how to select the appropriate text and tasks for students in order to effectively plan for and deliver fluency and comprehension instruction.

Graduate Credit

One graduate credit (optional) is available through Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA, upon completion of course requirements. Please see Process for Graduate Credit for details.

This Wilson Reading System® (WRS) practicum requires successful delivery of a minimum of 50 lessons to an approved group of three to four students. All students in the small group must reach Substep 3.1 or higher, and at least three videoed lessons must be submitted for review and feedback.

Prerequisites

• WRS Level I Certification
• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field
• Current enrollment in or completion of WRS Advanced Strategies for Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) Group Instruction Course within the past 3 years

Duration

• Must be completed within 15 months from start date
• At least 50 practicum lessons

Requirements

• Submit a pretesting report on each practicum student, including educational history and current test results.
• Conduct a minimum of 50 lessons to a small group of students in accordance with the WRS Group Mastery Practicum Study Guide. Instruction must be with WRS 4th Edition materials. 
• Provide documentation of written lesson plans.
• Submit a minimum of three videoed lessons for observational review and feedback.
• Develop teacher binder and maintain student portfolio (including student notebook and students’ written work) in accordance with WLT program standards.
• Conduct End-Of-Step Assessment Lessons, documenting students’ mastery and progress.  
• Demonstrate proficiency of lesson plan procedures with an emphasis on both accuracy and fluency (documented and approved by Wilson® Credentialed Trainer) delivered in a small-group setting.
• Demonstrate understanding of language concepts through accurate teaching with multisensory procedures to a small group of students.
• Demonstrate individual student success and mastery of decoding, encoding, and comprehension skills.
• Conduct posttesting and submit the WRS Group Mastery Practicum Students Final Report and related documents after a minimum of 50 lessons and achievement of WRS Substep 3.1.
• Complete required reading and the required reading assessment.  

Practicum Student Selection Criteria

Select a group of 3-4 students for the WRS Group Mastery Practicum. Each student must be pretested using the WADE and an approved, norm-referenced test. The Practicum Student Pretesting Form must be submitted to the assigned Wilson® Credentialed Trainer for review and approval. Once the trainer approves the small group, practicum lessons may begin.

Students must:

• Have significant decoding difficulty.
• Be of similar age, grade, and cognitive ability.
• Be able to begin instruction at the same substep as determined by WADE mastery scores. (This applies to students who have had previous WRS instruction.)
• Be grouped according to word attack scores if new to the program (0-15%, 16-30%).
• Be available to receive at least five 45-minute, four 60-minute, or three 90-minute lessons per week. (Five 75-90-minute lessons per week is optimal.)
• Be free of major behavioral problems and/or severe language-based difficulties that may affect the group’s progression or achievement.

Materials

Required

•  WRS Introductory Set Steps 1-6, 4th Edition, containing instructor and student materials
• WRS Student Readers Steps 1-6 (one set per student)
• WRS Student Portfolio (one per student)
• WRS Magnetic Journal with Phoneme Tiles (one per student)
• WRS End-of-Step Assessment Materials (one per student)

Recommended

• Blank index cards
• Pocket chart for Letter-Sound Cards and Word Element Syllable Cards (or magnetic tape for cards if using a magnetic board)

To order materials, visit our online store.

Upon Completion

Individuals who successfully meet all requirements of this practicum are able to:

•  Identify the characteristics of dyslexia and related language-based learning disabilities.
• Use assessments to identify students with word-level deficits who are appropriate for an intensive intervention in a small, homogeneous group setting.
• Diagnostically plan and deliver group lessons, while addressing and understanding individual student weaknesses that impact the ability to learn to read and write.
• Plan and conduct group lessons that address the individual needs within the group and foster a positive instructional climate with clearly established rules and routines.
• Guide students to correct errors through questioning and use of their notebooks.
• Appropriately pace a group of students through the curriculum, developing mastery of material taught, designing group lessons that focus on accuracy, automaticity, and fluency of word and text reading.
• Effectively utilize multisensory structured language (MSL) instructional techniques, and demonstrate explicit teaching, modeling, guided practice, appropriate feedback, and consistent review in lessons in the group setting.
•  Deepen skills developed in the WRS Level I Certification.

Participants who have successfully completed this course are specialized in implementing WRS in a small-group setting, but are not considered WRS Level II Certified unless they have completed all four advanced courses.

Graduate Credit

Three graduate credits (optional) are available through Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA, upon completion of course requirements. Please see Process for Graduate Credit for details.

This online course provides instruction in advanced concepts of decoding and spelling to effectively use multisensory techniques to teach more complicated rules of the English language. The Advanced Word Study course is aligned with the skill-building sequence of WRS Steps 7-12, including spelling option procedures, additional suffixes, contractions, and introduction to the following syllable types: r-controlled, vowel digraph/diphthong.

Registration Process

Interested in registering? The Advanced Word Study Online Course (Steps 7-12) is currently being revised to reflect 4th Edition instruction. Course enrollment is still available during this update. 

Individuals interested in this professional learning offering can register online. We recommend that you review the course information below and contact us if you have any questions.

Schools and districts interested in exploring the option of including WRS Level II Certification for their teachers as part of a COMPASS Plan are encouraged to contact us to start the discussion.

Prerequisites

• Completion of WRS Intensive Instruction: Online Course (Steps 1-6) or WRS Level I Certification
• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field

Duration

• 60 hours of online coursework
• Must be completed within 15 months

Requirements

• Complete all online course modules, including videos, activities, and assigned required reading.
• Complete each of the six assessments (Step 7, Step 8, Step 9, Step 10, Step 11, and Step 12) with a grade of 80% or higher.
• Respond to at least 6 threaded discussion topics, if registering for college credit. 

Upon Completion

Participants will understand course methodology and demonstrate understanding of advanced language structure when instructing individual students using the Wilson Reading System in Steps 7-12.

Graduate Credit

Three graduate credits (optional) are available through Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA, upon completion of course requirements. Please see Process for Graduate Credit  for details.

In the WRS Steps 7-12 Practicum, participants focus on advanced word study and application of reading and writing skills with progressively more challenging levels of text. The practicum requires successful delivery of a minimum of 50 full WRS lessons with an approved student, and submission of at least three videoed lessons for review and feedback.

Prerequisites

• WRS Level I Certification
• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field
• Current enrollment in or completion of WRS Advanced Word Study: Online Course (Steps 7-12) within the past 3 years

Duration

• Must be completed within 15 months from start date
• At least 50 full WRS practicum lessons with an approved practicum student 

Requirements

• Submit a pretesting report on the practicum student, including educational history and current test results.
• Deliver 50 practicum lessons (at minimum), typically completed in one school year, starting at WRS Substep 7.1 in accordance with the WRS Steps 7-12 Practicum Study Guide. The student must receive instruction in three 60-minute or two 90-minute lessons per week (at minimum).
• Practicum student must reach WRS Substep 10.3 of the program.
• Provide documentation of written lesson plans.
• Submit a minimum of three videoed lessons for review and feedback.
• Demonstrate proficiency in implementing all WRS procedures.
•  Develop teacher and student notebooks and compile student’s written work in accordance with WLT program standards.
• Demonstrate mastery of lesson plan procedures with an emphasis on both accuracy and fluency for the Upper Steps of the program (documented and approved by assigned Wilson® Credentialed Trainer).
• Demonstrate an understanding of advanced language concepts through accurate teaching with multisensory procedures.
• Demonstrate student success and mastery of decoding, encoding, and comprehension skills.
• Conduct posttest assessment and submit WRS Steps 7-12 Practicum Student Final Report and related documents after a minimum of 50 full WRS lessons and achievement of WRS Substep 10.3.
• Complete required reading. 

Practicum Student Selection Criteria

Select a student for the Steps 7-12 Practicum, then pretest using the WADE and an approved, norm-referenced test. The Practicum Student Pretesting Form must be submitted to the assigned Wilson® Credentialed Trainer for review and approval. Once the trainer approves the student, practicum lessons may begin.

The student must:

• Have already completed Steps 1-6 of the Wilson Reading System
• Have demonstrated mastery of Steps 1-6 for both decoding and encoding on the WADE
• Be available to receive three 60-minute or two 90-minute lessons per week (at minimum)

Materials

• Required 4th Edition Materials 
• WRS Instructor Manual Steps 7-12 (digital access provided with practicum course)
• WADE (Wilson Assessment of Decoding and Encoding)
• WRS Rules Notebook Steps 1-12
• WRS Dictation Book Steps 7-12 (digital access provided with practicum course)
• WRS Letter-Sound Cards
• WRS Word Element and Syllable Cards Steps 7-12 (coming soon)
• WRS Student Readers Steps 7-12 (Steps 7-9 currently available)
• WRS Magnetic Journal with Phoneme Tiles
• Spell Checking Technology or Dictionary (not provided by WLT)

To order materials, visit our online store.

Upon Completion

Individuals who successfully meet all requirements of this practicum are able to:

• Identify the characteristics of dyslexia and related language-based learning disabilities.
• Use assessments to identify students with word-level deficits who are appropriate for an intensive intervention.
• Appropriately pace a student through the Upper Steps of the WRS curriculum, developing mastery of material taught, designing lessons that focus on accuracy, automatic, and fluent word and text reading.
•  Develop lessons to support the progression of comprehension skills, moving a student from foundational and initial phases to secondary and proficient phases.
• Accurately teach the structure of the English language (presented in WRS Steps 7-12): consonant & vowel phonemes, syllable structure, common orthographic rules and advanced spelling patterns including spelling option procedures, and word elements such as common Latin and Greek bases, prefixes, and suffixes, etc.
• Further deepen the skills developed in Level I Certification.

Participants who have successfully completed this course are specialized in implementing all Steps of the WRS program but are not considered WRS Level II Certified unless they have completed all four advanced courses.

Graduate Credit

Three graduate credits (optional) are available through Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA, upon completion of course requirements. Please see Process for Graduate Credit for details.