8/25/2024

What Reading Programs Are Aligned With Lexia LETRS?

Reading instruction has undergone major changes in the last decade, with a growing focus on what research shows works best. This shift to science of reading-based literacy instruction catapulted the popularity of Lexia® LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling). 

LETRS is a comprehensive professional development product suite designed to provide educators with a deep understanding of the science of reading. This evidence-based training equips teachers with the knowledge and skills to deliver effective literacy instruction.

But even with this depth of knowledge, educators can face hurdles in consistently implementing those evidence-based practices. While searching for solutions, school leaders will likely encounter reading programs claiming to be “LETRS-aligned.” Here’s how to assess those claims. 

LETRS: Empowering Teachers, Not Programs

LETRS is not paired with any specific instructional program or curriculum. Full stop. The authors of LETRS have stated they do not endorse any specific programs. Instead, the LETRS suite intentionally maintains a program-agnostic stance, focused on providing educators with a deep understanding of the science of reading and effective instructional practices. 

This approach ensures LETRS remains a versatile professional development program, empowering teachers with knowledge that can be applied across various instructional contexts. Rather than endorsing or aligning with particular materials, LETRS equips educators with the expertise to critically evaluate and effectively implement any reading program through the lens of evidence-based practices. This program-agnostic nature of LETRS underscores its commitment to teacher empowerment and flexibility in addressing diverse student needs across different educational settings.

But what exactly does this mean for classroom instruction, and how does it relate to the materials we use to teach reading? 

Supporting LETRS-Trained Teachers

Despite the empowering nature of LETRS training, many teachers may benefit from program support to implement their training effectively. This brings us back to the claim of being “LETRS-aligned.”

While no program is 100% aligned to LETRS (because one is professional development and the other curriculum), a program can be aligned to the research-based literacy principles and knowledge base included in LETRS. 

As an informed administrator, it's essential to critically evaluate these claims and understand what accurate alignment with LETRS knowledge and principles might look like.

Diving into the LETRS Knowledge Base

LETRS is grounded in decades of scientific research about how children learn to read. This comprehensive professional learning course of study covers various topics essential for effective literacy instruction. Let's explore some key components of the LETRS knowledge base:

1. The Simple View of Reading

LETRS emphasizes the Simple View of Reading, which shows that reading comprehension (RC) is the product of two essential skills: Word recognition (WR) and language comprehension (LC)  (i.e., WR x LC = RC). This model underscores the importance of developing word recognition and oral language abilities.

2. Scarborough's Reading Rope

Another crucial model in LETRS is Scarborough's Reading Rope, which illustrates the complexity of reading development. It depicts reading as a multifaceted skill composed of various strands that must be woven together for skilled reading. These strands include phonological awareness, decoding, sight recognition, background knowledge, vocabulary, language structures, verbal reasoning, and literacy knowledge.

3. The Reading Brain

LETRS delves into the neuroscience of reading, explaining how the brain learns to read and what instructional approaches best support this process. This knowledge helps educators understand why specific teaching methods are more effective.

4. Phonological and Phonemic Awareness

LETRS provides in-depth knowledge about the critical role of phonological and phoneme awareness in early reading development. It covers the continuum of phonological skills and effective instructional techniques to develop these abilities.

5. Phonics and Word Recognition

The program offers comprehensive instruction about teaching phonics systematically and explicitly. It covers phoneme-grapheme mapping, syllable types, and morphology to support accurate and fluent word recognition.

6. Fluency

LETRS explores the components of fluency (accuracy, speed, and expression) and provides strategies for developing fluent reading skills in students.

7. Vocabulary and Oral Language

LETRS emphasizes the importance of vocabulary and oral language development. It provides research-based strategies for building students' word knowledge and language comprehension abilities.

8. Reading Comprehension

LETRS covers various aspects of reading comprehension, including the role of background knowledge, comprehension strategies, and text structures in understanding written material.

9. Writing

The program also addresses the reciprocal relationship between reading and writing, providing guidance about effective writing instruction that reinforces reading skills.

What Does It Mean to Be Aligned With the LETRS Knowledge Base?

Although no program can claim official LETRS alignment, many instructional resources aim to support the implementation of science of reading practices taught in LETRS. Programs that align with the LETRS knowledge base typically:

1. Address all essential components of reading instruction: Phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
2. Follow research-backed progressions in their Scope and Sequence, reflecting the developmental nature of reading skills.
3. Emphasize explicit, systematic instruction in foundational skills.
4. Incorporate the skills identified in the Simple View of Reading, recognizing the importance of both word recognition and language comprehension.
5. Acknowledge Scarborough's Reading Rope and provide instruction that addresses its intertwined skills.
6. Provide explicit instruction and practice in phoneme-grapheme mapping.
7. Offer strategies for building background knowledge and vocabulary to support comprehension.
8. Include writing components that reinforce reading skills.
9. Provide assessment tools that align with the science of reading principles.

What Does It Mean to Be Aligned With LETRS Principles?

Beyond content knowledge, LETRS emphasizes certain instructional principles. Programs that exemplify these principles often:

1. Keep the teacher at the center of instruction, recognizing that no technology can replace a skilled educator.
2. Provide tools for early identification of reading difficulties and targeted intervention.
3. Offer real-time progress data to inform instructional decisions.
4. Include resources for explicit, multisensory lessons targeting specific skills.
5. Emphasize the importance of systematic and cumulative instruction.
6. Provide opportunities for distributed practice to support long-term retention.
7. Offer professional development to help teachers implement evidence-based practices effectively.
8. Support prevention and early intervention based on individual student needs.

Finding Programs That Align With the LETRS Knowledge Base & Principles

When evaluating programs for alignment with LETRS principles, consider these steps:

1. Examine the Program's Theoretical Framework

Look for programs that explicitly state their alignment with the science of reading. They should reference critical models and concepts taught in LETRS, such as the Simple View of Reading and Scarborough's Reading Rope.

2. Analyze the Scope and Sequence

Check if the program follows a logical, systematic progression of skills that aligns with literacy development as described in LETRS. For example, does it start with phonological awareness before moving to phonics?

3. Evaluate the Instructional Approach

Look for programs emphasizing explicit, systematic instruction across all elements of literacy learning, from foundational skills to reading comprehension. They should provide clear teacher scripts and modeling of skills.

4. Assess Comprehension Instruction

When assessing comprehension instruction, look for a program that teaches explicit vocabulary strategies, text structure awareness, inference-making, and metacognitive skills. It should also integrate background knowledge, active reading strategies, and practice with various comprehension levels across different text types.

5. Check for Assessment and Progress Monitoring

Aligned programs should offer assessment tools that measure all components of reading and provide data to inform instruction periodically across the school year.

6. Look for Prevention and Early Intervention Tools

Determine if a program supports prevention and early intervention in reading difficulties by providing comprehensive teacher training in the science of reading and effective instructional strategies. It should emphasize systematic, explicit instruction in key areas like phonological awareness and phonics while equipping educators with tools for the early identification of at-risk students.

7. Examine Professional Development Offerings

Consider whether the program provides ongoing professional development that aligns with LETRS principles and helps teachers implement evidence-based practices.

Is Lexia Core5 Reading Aligned With the LETRS Knowledge Base & Principles?

While Lexia® Core5® Reading is not “LETRS-aligned” (no program can claim this designation), it is an evidence-based science of reading program designed to help educators implement many of the practices and principles taught in LETRS. Research shows that students who used Core5 and had a teacher who began or completed LETRS had higher foundational reading scores on end-of-year assessments than students who used Core5 alone. 

Here's how Core5 supports LETRS-trained educators:

1. Structured Literacy Approach: Core5 addresses all components of reading instruction systematically and explicitly, aligning with the comprehensive approach advocated in LETRS.
2. Personalized Learning: The program offers adaptive instruction tailored to each student’s needs, supporting the instruction principles emphasized in LETRS.
3. Teacher-Led Instruction: Core5’s blended learning model keeps teachers at the center, providing resources for targeted lessons and interventions, echoing LETRS’ emphasis on teacher expertise.
4. Progress Monitoring: Continuous assessment data helps teachers make informed instructional decisions, aligning with LETRS’ focus on data-driven instruction.
5. Multisensory Resources: The program includes games and hands-on activities to reinforce skills taught in the digital component, supporting LETRS’ emphasis on multisensory instruction.
6. Research-Based Efficacy: Evidence shows that students who used Core5 and had LETRS-trained teachers demonstrated higher reading scores than those who used Core5 alone, indicating a synergistic effect between the program and LETRS training.

Reflecting on the implementation of Lexia's literacy programs, a Craven County School District executive director shared his school’s positive experience, emphasizing the complementary nature of LETRS and Core5:

“All the work we’ve done with LETRS also ties in with Core5. We had Core5 first, and when we added LETRS, it was like light bulbs went off. Teachers see all the connections. Lexia has done a really good job, specifically Core5, with the correlation of all the different skills and how that ties into LETRS.”
–Jason Griffin, Executive Director of Elementary and Federal Programs, Craven County School District

Finding the Right Program to Support LETRS-Trained Teachers

Understanding the knowledge base and principles of LETRS can help you evaluate programs more effectively, regardless of alignment claims. By prioritizing evidence-based literacy solutions that support implementing LETRS principles, you can ensure your investment in professional development translates into improved reading outcomes for all students. 

No program replaces a skilled, knowledgeable teacher, but the right resources can significantly enhance the effectiveness of LETRS-trained teachers in the classroom.