Professional Development

New Literacy PD Extends LETRS Training

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 05/17/17

A company that produces curriculum and assessment programs and professional development has launched two new PD products focused on literacy in K-12. Voyager Sopris Learning recently introduced "Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction" for K-3 educators and "Connecting LETRS to the Classroom" for K-12 teachers.

The first program consists of face-to-face training for K-3 reading teachers. The educators learn the theory and science behind how children learn to read, and apply that knowledge to the development of "practical lesson plans" for use in their classrooms.

The second program, Connecting LETRS, consists of 15 one-hour online sessions that builds on the PD teachers acquire in their LETRS training. LETRS, which stands for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, is also face-to-face PD. The online supplement is intended to take the PD deeper, giving the teacher time for reflection and discussion, allowing them to view modeling of good teacher practices and providing strategies to support their instruction.

"Improved literacy translates to lifelong success for students, and these new professional development solutions help deepen educator knowledge," said Jeffrey Elliott, the company's president, in a prepared statement.

The PD from Voyager Sopris has been adopted by departments of education in Washington state, Oklahoma and Louisiana, as well as school districts in Broward County, FL, Providence, RI and Austin, TX, among others.