Wilson Reading System

Alignment with Evidence-Based Recommendations 

Wilson Reading System is a research-based Tier 3 intervention program for students who require intensive Structured Literacy instruction due to a language-based learning disability, such as dyslexia. The approach is systematic, cumulative, explicit, multimodal, and integrated. Instruction focuses on the structure of the English language, decoding, morphology and the study of word elements, encoding and orthography, high-frequency word instruction, oral reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Wilson's research-based Comprehension Stop-Orient-Scaffold/Support™ (S.O.S.) strategy supports students’ metacognition and habitual application to make meaning from connected text. Students learn to visualize and develop a coherent mental model of text, and use higher-level questioning, close reading, summarization, and graphic organizers to prepare for independent reading.

The instructor manual provides explicit instructions for implementing each lesson with additional support in the online Wilson Academy. 

Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices 

WRS has been approved by the California State Board of Education as meeting the state’s social content standards. This demonstrates the program’s alignment with expectations on accurate and equitable portrayal of the cultural and racial diversity of American society; contribution of minority groups; and people in varied, positive, and contributing roles. 

The program aligns with cultural and linguistic research and helps diverse learners apply existing linguistic knowledge and experiences to access grade level content. Key instructional principles support learning for all, including multilingual and bidialectal learners:

• integration of listening, speaking, reading and writing;

• explicit modeling;

• visual, physical, and kinesthetic methods to enhance verbal explanations; and

• student interaction in supportive groups