Wilson Reading System
The Wilson Reading System (WRS) is an intensive Tier 3 program that provides explicit and systematic, highly structured reading intervention for students in grades 2 through 12, as well as adults, who struggle with reading at the word level. It's particularly beneficial for learners who haven't responded to other interventions, those who need multisensory instruction to succeed, or individuals with language-based learning differences like dyslexia.
Built on Orton-Gillingham principles and grounded in research on how the brain processes language, the Wilson Reading System provides explicit, step-by-step instruction in how English works. Students develop strong decoding and spelling skills through consistent practice until these skills become automatic.
From the Beginning, Students Receive Instruction In:
- Phonemic awareness
- Decoding and word study
- Sight word recognition
- Spelling
- Fluency
- Vocabulary
- Oral expressive language
- Comprehension
Important: You do not need a formal dyslexia diagnosis to benefit from the Wilson Reading System. It is highly effective for any student in grades 2-12 or adults with word-level deficits, including slow readers, poor spellers, those who guess at words, or students who have not responded to other reading interventions.
What About Orton-Gillingham?
Orton-Gillingham (OG) is a method—an approach to teaching reading that uses multisensory, structured techniques. On its own, it's a set of principles rather than a curriculum. The Wilson Reading System is a complete, ready-to-use program built upon OG principles, with a specific curriculum, assessments, materials, and lesson structure.
"An approach is not a curriculum; a curriculum is a set of lessons designed to teach specific concepts. As a result, teachers using the O-G approach without a dedicated program must find or build their own curriculum. WRS includes a curriculum that applies the O-G approach."
— Wilson Language Training