Professional Development Video

What is LETRS? How One PD Program is Dominating ‘Science of Reading’ Efforts

By Jaclyn Borowski & Sarah Schwartz — July 20, 2022 3:18
Monica Littlefield teaches reading skills to her first grade class at Eastern Elementary School in Washington, N.C., on May 23, 2022.

As states and districts overhaul the way their schools teach reading, many are banking on one specific professional-learning program to propel this transformation: Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, commonly known as LETRS.

LETRS instructs teachers in structured literacy—sound-letter sequences, language structure, comprehension, and vocabulary—and why and how to plan to teach them. And it delves into the research base behind these recommendations. The program is long, intensive, and expensive.

Twenty-three states have contracted with Lexia, the company that houses LETRS, to provide some level of statewide training, and nearly 200,000 teachers total are enrolled in the training this year.

How did this one training become so ubiquitous? Is it really that different from the other PD options? And most importantly: Does it work?

Jaclyn Borowski is the director of photography and videography for Education Week.
Sarah Schwartz is a reporter for Education Week who covers curriculum and instruction.

Video

Mathematics Video Teaching Economics (Taylor's Version)
Taylor Swift's massive impact on the economy inspired a high school teacher to create lessons in "Swiftonomics."
Lauren Santucci
2:31
Student Well-Being Video How This Public School Serves Students Recovering From Addiction
Here’s how this public high school provides support for students recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
Kaylee Domzalski & Lauren Santucci
3:44
School & District Management Video Video: Emotional Intelligence, Explained
A look at what emotional intelligence is and why it matters for educational leaders.
4:56
Collage illustration of a leader thinking about something surrounded by images and iconography representing emotional intelligence
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty Images
Student Well-Being Video The Bike Bus: A Weekly Parade With Huge Benefits for Students
This alternative mode of transportation has huge benefits for students, and only requires five components to make it happen.
110223 bikebus SM BS
Sam Mallon/Education Week