A Madison Elementary School educator is herself hitting the books to become a master at teaching reading skills.
Jennifer Davis was selected as one of 118 teachers nationwide in the inaugural LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) Science of Reading Grant Contest.
As a winner, Davis already has begun the "Science of Reading" course developed by Louisa Moats and provided by Lexia as part of the Cambium Learning Group. The program typically takes two years, but Davis said she and the other grant winners are being fast-tracked and could complete the work in about 15 months.
According to information provided by Lexia, LETRS professional learning provides teachers with deep knowledge to be language and literacy experts in the science of reading. LETRS is used by educators in 47 states and teaches the skills needed to master the foundational and fundamentals of reading and writing instruction--phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and written language.
Typically the course costs as much as $500 for a teacher, but as a grant winner the training is free for Davis.
Her hope is to eventually become a facilitator for the program within Madison School, while training other teachers in the "Science of Reading" program. She learned about the grant through a podcast for educators, but Davis said the program is well-known among educators.
"It helps teachers help students make connections through a scientific approach to reading," she explained.
Davis noted that in the past, there was "not a lot of science" involved when educators sat down with students to teach them to read. Too often, a student saw the letter "A" at the start of a word and a picture of an apple, and "guessed" the word was apple.
"It (the program) breaks down what students need to know to be better readers," Davis explained. "It helps to eliminate the guessing from reading."
The West Virginia Legislature has passed legislation requiring that the "Science of Reading" be taught in the state's public schools, added Karen Butyn, communications and alumni director for Ohio County Schools.
According to information provided by Lexia, the company provides science of reading-based professional learning and curriculum solutions to 6.8 million K-12 students and their 620,000 educators at more than 23,000 schools nationwide. The company's approach to literacy learning "is focused on proven methodology, engaging experiences, and continued acknowledgement of the value of each individual learner."