11/14/2024

How LETRS Boosted Literacy Success for Students With Dyslexia

Challenge: Implementing science of reading-based instruction to better support students with dyslexia. 

Solution: Lexia® LETRS® Professional Learning

At McAllen ISD in Texas, educators were facing a diverse set of challenges when it came to teaching literacy—including a high rate of dyslexia.

Located near the U.S.-Mexico border, 64.1% of McAllen’s 20,000 students in pre-K through fifth grades are English Language Learners; 34.3% are economically disadvantaged; and 8.9% have disabilities. Nearly 10% are students with dyslexia, according to a recent screening.

Supporting students with dyslexia would need to account for all of these factors—and district Director of Dyslexia/504/RTI Services Sal Flores knew that success would come from providing more effective reading instruction across the board.

District leaders decided to adopt Lexia® LETRS® professional learning to train their teachers in an evidence-based approach to reading instruction. 

“LETRS has been phenomenal. Teachers are learning how the brain works,” Flores said.“It’s making a big impact in our district.”

While the district also uses Lexia® Core5® Reading and Lexia® PowerUp Literacy®, Flores points out programs alone don’t solve literacy issues. Teachers need training in the science of reading to ensure programs are effective. 

With the combination of Core5, PowerUp, and LETRS-trained teachers, results among students with dyslexia are already surpassing expectations. During the 2023–2024 school year, 55% of elementary and 58% of secondary students with dyslexia were progressing with passing grades.