Course Description
Wilson Reading System® Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader
Steps 1-6 Online Course with Steps 1-6 Practicum
This online course presents, in detail, the multisensory structured language (MSL) instruction that is required for teaching students in grade two and beyond with significant world-level deficits who are unresponsive to previous instruction (due to dyslexia and/or other characteristics that indicate the need for intensive, multisensory instruction.
“Wilson Language Training and Wilson® Accredited Training Partners have received the Accreditation Plus designation by the International Dyslexia Association®(IDA). This designation recognizes that Wilson Reading System® certifications align with the IDA’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.”
Prerequisites
- Wilson Reading System® Introductory Course (completed within the last five years).
- Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field.
Dates: August 14, 2025 - September 30, 2026
Audience: Special educators, reading specialists, literacy coaches, tutors, and reading interventionists
Mode: Online via Zoom. All sessions are synchronous.
Duration: 90 hours; this course generally spans one academic year and must be completed within 12 months. Participants need to have a minimum of two (2) full lessons per week (90 minutes each lesson).
Time: Online, 1/2 day mandatory orientation 8/14/25 via Zoom 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and five additional implementation meetings that must be completed along with the full online course.
Course Number: PRDV 7000P CRN: 13850
Cost: $2,700
Registration
Registration Deadline: August 1, 2025
Please Note:
- Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to pay for your course. The registration may take 24-48 hours to process.
- You are required to pay within 48 hours of receiving your course payment email. Not paying for a course does not constitute a withdrawal from the course. You may withdraw prior to the start of a course. Once a course starts, you are not eligible for a refund.
Additional Information
- WRS Introductory Set (Steps 1-6), 4th edition, containing instructor and student materials.
- WIST (Word Identification and Spelling Test) for student testing.
- Complete a comprehensive online course: WRS Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader (Steps 1-6).
- Conduct 1:1 WRS instruction with a practicum student for a minimum of 65 lessons with a lesson plan written for each lesson. Students must meet selection criteria and be approved by the assigned Wilson® Credentialed Trainer. Instruction must be with WRS 4th Edition materials.
- Be observed five times teaching the practicum student. Each observation is scheduled with the Wilson® Credentialed Trainer and lasts approximately 60-75 minutes.
- Submit a pretesting report on the practicum student, including educational history and current test results.
- Develop a Teacher Binder and Student Portfolio and compile student’s written work in accordance with WLT program standards.
- Demonstrate mastery of the WRS Lesson Plan procedures (documented and approved by Wilson® Credentialed Trainer).
- Demonstrate an understanding of language concepts through accurate teaching with multisensory procedures.
- Demonstrate student mastery of reading, spelling, fluency, and comprehension.
- Conduct pre- and post testing with two norm-referenced tests, one being the Word Identification and Spelling Test (WIST), and submit posttest data with practicum student final report after a minimum of 65 lessons and achievement of WRS Substep 4.2.
The practicum student must meet the following criteria and be approved by Wilson Language Training before instruction begins.
- In or entering grades 4-12 (grade 3 approved if student has been retained).
- Overall cognitive ability in average range (minimum IQ = 80).
- Overall reading must be ranked in the 5th to 30th percentile with a minimum total reading score of grade 2.0.
- Student’s listening comprehension ability is higher than independent reading comprehension.
- Student has poor decoding and spelling skills.
- Student must be available to be scheduled for a minimum of three to four 45-minute lessons or two to three 60-90 minute lessons per week (1:1).
- The practicum student must not have any previous Wilson instruction.
- Additional details can be found here on the Wilson website.
Susan Frank
After graduating from college with a degree in Elementary Education, Susan taught kindergarten, first and fourth grades. During those years, she earned a masters’ degree in Early Childhood Education and then moved into administration as assistant principal, principal, and ELA supervisor. Susan earned an Ed.D in Educational Leadership and became certified as a Fundations and Just Words in-district presenter and earned Wilson Reading System Level 1 certification. Susan began working for Wilson Language Training in 2012 where she completed Wilson Reading System Level 2 and trainer certifications. This allowed her to work both as a trainer in all three Wilsons programs and as a Senior Literacy Advisor to support administrators in new and continuing Wilson program implementations. Susan recently retired from full-time Wilson employment, but because of her love for literacy education, she is continuing to train in all Wilson programs.
Certification: Completion of WRS Level I Certification makes one eligible to receive the professional credential of Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner (W.D.P.).
Graduate credit: Nine (9) graduate credits available upon successful completion of courses for an additional fee. See the Registrar’s webpage for more details.
Once participants successfully complete Level 1 training they may move on to Level 2 training the following academic year.