LETRS stands for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling. LETRS® is a professional development learning course for instructors of reading, spelling, and related skills. It is not a curriculum nor is it a program used to provide intervention. It is a professional learning program that builds knowledge and skills so that teachers can be more successful with any curriculum or intervention materials and make informed decisions when choosing what materials to use to provide effective instruction. Specifically, LETRS® is intensive professional learning to empower teachers to understand the science behind why students struggle to read through learning evidence-based instructional practices. It provides details for educators to understand the what, why, and how of scientifically-based reading instruction including:

·         WHAT must be taught during reading and spelling lessons to obtain the best results.

·         WHY reading instruction has several key components and how they are related to one another.

·         HOW to explain spoken and written English language structures.

·         HOW to interpret individual differences in student achievement.

·         HOW to implement instructional routines, activities, and approaches and differentiate instruction.

LETRS® training consists of self-paced, asynchronous online learning, reading from participant manual, and classroom application activities estimated to require between 22-27 hours per volume (approximately 2 hours/week). Additionally, teachers will participate in (required) 24 hours of face-to-face training provided in 4 full days distributed throughout each year.