LETRS logo

What is LETRS® training?

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.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR

LETRS Volume 1
Cohort 1
@ SWPRSC

LETRS Volume 1
@ NKESC

LETRS Volume 1
Cohort 2
@ SWPRSC

LETRS Volume 1
Cohort 3
@ SWPRSC

LETRS Volume 1
Cohort 3
@ SWPRSC

LETRS Volume 1
Cohort 4
@ SWPRSC

810 W. Lark Avenue, Sublette

703 W. 2nd Street, Oakley

810 W. Lark Avenue, Sublette

810 W. Lark Avenue, Sublette

810 W. Lark Avenue, Sublette

810 W. Lark Avenue, Sublette

UNIT 1
Independent Study
Timeframe

September 6, 2024 -
November 4, 2024

September 6, 2024 -
November 5, 2024

August 1, 2024 -
October 23, 2024

January 9, 2025 -
February 5, 2025

January 9, 2025 -
February 5, 2025

January 9, 2025 -
February 6, 2025

UNIT 1
Face-to-Face
Implementation Meeting

November 5, 2024

November 6, 2024

October 24, 2024

February 6, 2024

February 6, 2024

February 7, 2024

UNIT 2
Independent Study
Timeframe

November 5, 2024 -
January 20, 2025

November 6, 2024 -
January 21, 2025

October 27, 2024 -
January 29, 2025

February 7, 2025-
March 10, 2025

February 7, 2025-
March 10, 2025

February 8, 2025-
March 12, 2025

UNIT 2
Face-to-Face
Implementation Meeting

January 21, 2025

January 22, 2025

January 30, 2025

March 11, 2025

March 11, 2025

March 13, 2025

UNIT 3
Independent Study
Timeframe

January 22, 2025-
March 24, 2025

January 23, 2025-
March 25, 2025

February 2, 2025-
March 26, 2025

March 12, 2025-
April 29, 2025

March 12, 2025-
April 29, 2025

March 14, 2025-
April 28, 2025

UNIT 3
Face-to-Face
Implementation Meeting

March 25, 2025

March 26, 2025

March 27, 2025

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

April 29, 2025

UNIT 4
Independent Study
Timeframe

March 26, 2025 -
June 3, 2025

March 27, 2025 -
June 4, 2025

March 30, 2025 -
May 28, 2025

May 1, 2025 -
June 5, 2025

May 1, 2025 -
June 5, 2025

April 30, 2025 -
May 27, 2025

UNIT 4
Face-to-Face
Implementation Meeting

June 4, 2025

June 5, 2025

May 29, 2025

June 6, 2025

June 6, 2025

May28, 2025

UNIT 5
Independent Study
Timeframe

UNIT 5
Face-to-Face
Implementation Meeting

UNIT 6
Independent Study
Timeframe

UNIT 6
Face-to-Face
Implementation Meeting

UNIT 7
Independent Study
Timeframe

UNIT 7
Face-to-Face
Implementation Meeting

UNIT 8
Independent Study
Timeframe

UNIT 8
Face-to-Face
Implementation Meeting

LETRS Volume 2
@ SWPRSC

September 6, 2024 -
October 21, 2024

October 22, 2024

October 23, 2024 -
December 9, 2024

December 10, 2024

December 11, 2024 -
February 17, 2025

February 18, 2025

February 19, 2025 -
April 14, 2025

April 15, 2025

LETRS Volume
@ NKESC

September 6, 2024 -
October 18, 2024

October 21, 2024

October 22, 2024 -
December 6, 2024

December 9, 2024

December 10, 2024 -
February 14, 2025

February 17, 2025

February 18, 2025 -
April 11, 2025

April 14, 2025

REGISTRATION FEE & COST:
Kansas ESSERS Funded LETRS® provides for training, materials & online course FREE OF CHARGE to educators in elementary schools
or who provide reading instruction to students struggling to read at any level.
$25/person/face-to-face day payable to SWPRSC to cover food & beverages

COLLEGE CREDIT:
Southwest Plains partners with MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) to provide optional college credit for the LETRS training program. Volume/Year 1 consists of Units 1-4. Volume/Year 2 consists of Units 5-8.
For each Unit, there are two initial credit options: 1) Independent Study x 1.0 credit (self-paced unit work of required readings, online tests, bridge-to-practice activities); 2) Implementation Training x 0.5 credit (required, in-person work day with LETRS trainer). Each half credit is $45; each full credit is $90. Each initial credit (regardless of length) requires the completion and submission of a Reflection Paper.