Wilson Reading System® Level 1 Certification

Course description

A critical factor for student success is teacher knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply that know-how in the classroom with students. The Wilson Reading System® (WRS) Level I Certification Program is designed to prepare teachers to effectively implement WRS Steps 1–6. It deepens teachers’ content knowledge and offers a supervised practicum that allows teachers to apply and practice skillful use of research-based strategies.

Learn how to effectively implement WRS Steps 1–6 with students who are reading and spelling below grade level and those diagnosed with a language-based learning disability, such as dyslexia.

This training has limited capacity, so apply today.

Required components:

1. WRS Intensive Instruction for the Non‑Responsive Reader (Steps 1–6) Online Course
2. WRS Level 1 Online Practicum

Considerable time, effort, and study are required for the WRS Level 1 Certification Program. Each trainee is expected to acquire a very sophisticated working knowledge of the sound-symbol system of English (phonology), the rules that govern English spellings (orthography), and its structure (morphology), as well as the use of specific diagnostic techniques in teaching decoding and encoding, and strategies for vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

• Individuals have 12 months from the date of enrollment to complete the practicum. Participants are encouraged to complete the practicum within one school year. 
• 5 implementation meetings, to be scheduled between trainer and trainees and occur between September 17, 2026, and August 31, 2027
• 5 observations per trainee to be scheduled between trainer and trainee and occur between September 17, 2026, and August 31, 2027

Please note that space is limited. Reserve your spot early.

Each trainee will:

• 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. Student must meet selection criteria and be approved by the assigned Wilson^® Credentialed Trainer (W.C.T.). Instruction must be with WRS 4th Edition materials.
• Be observed five times teaching the practicum student. Each observation is scheduled with the W.C.T. 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 Wilson Language Training^® (WLT) program standards.
• Demonstrate mastery of the WRS Lesson Plan procedures (documented and approved by W.C.T.).
• 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). Submit post-test data with practicum student final report after a minimum of 65 lessons and completion of WRS substep 4.2.

Knowledge and skills gained

Individuals who successfully meet all the requirements receive WRS Level I Certification and are able to:

• Identify the characteristics of dyslexia and related language-based learning disabilities.
• Use assessments to identify students with word-level deficits who are appropriate for an intensive intervention.
• Effectively use structured literacy instructional techniques, and demonstrate explicit teaching, modeling, guided practice, and consistent review in lessons.
• Understand language processes and how they impact the development of proficient readers and writers: phonological, orthographic, semantic, syntactic, and discourse.
• Successfully incorporate the following areas of reading instruction during WRS lessons: phonemic awareness, phonics, word structure, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
• Accurately teach the structure of the English language (presented in WRS Steps 1–6): consonant and vowel phonemes, syllable structure, common orthographic rules and spelling patterns, common Latin-base elements and affixes, etc.
• Identify printed words that do not follow the rules of English and incorporate structured literacy techniques to help students learn how to correctly read and spell these words. These words include high-frequency words.
• Diagnostically plan and deliver lessons, addressing and understanding specific student weaknesses that impact the ability to learn to read and write.
• Appropriately pace students through the curriculum, developing mastery of material taught, designing lessons that focus on accuracy, automaticity of word reading, and fluency with text reading.
• Develop students’ listening and reading comprehension skills through the Wilson Comprehension S.O.S.™ process. Model and incorporate reflective awareness and visualization strategies in order for students to develop a coherent mental model of text.
• Develop students’ fluency skills by modeling and practicing a penciling technique to encourage proper phrasing and prosody.
• Administer pre- and post-testing assessments to document student growth in word attack, spelling, comprehension, reading fluency, and broad reading measures.

Credentials

Participants completing this certification program may represent themselves as WRS Level I Certified Teachers but are not qualified as Wilson^® Credentialed Trainers. Wilson Level I Certificate holders earn the recognition of Wilson^® Dyslexia Practitioner (W.D.P.) and must re-credential every five years to maintain the W.D.P. recognition.

Practicum duration and scheduling

• Individuals have 12 months from the date of enrollment to complete the practicum. Participants are encouraged to complete the practicum within one school year.
• Observations:
  • Observation schedule will be determined with trainer.
  • Observations last approximately 60–75 minutes.
• Synchronous meetings with your cohort, as described in the “Dates” section

Graduate credit

• • Up to nine graduate credits (optional) are available through Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA, upon completion of course requirements. Please see Process for Graduate Credit on the Wilson Language Training® site for details.
  • Graduate credit may be applied for after the program has begun. Please see Process for Graduate Credit on the Wilson Language Training® site for details.
  • Graduate credit applications and payments are made to Fitchburg State University, not the Stern Center.

Prerequisites

• WRS Introductory Course (completed within the last five years)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field

Required materials (order by early August)

Materials are not included in the practicum cost and must be purchased through Wilson Language Training. Please direct any questions about materials to Wilson Language Training’s customer service online or at (800) 899-8454. Please Note: These materials must be pre-ordered before starting the training. Instructors recommend ordering no later than early August. Materials are used for pre- and post-testing.

• WRS Introductory Set (Steps 1–6), 4th edition, containing instructor and student materials
• Word Identification and Spelling Test (WIST) for student testing

Additional information

Successfully completing the WRS Level 1 Certification Program requires considerable commitment. Before enrolling, review the WRS Level 1 Practicum: Getting Started information packet. Of special note:

• Certification Completion Requirements (Page 2): Review the requirement list with a supervisor so they are aware of the time commitment required and can support adjustments to your schedule if needed.
• Student Selection Criteria (Page 3): It is highly recommended that you have a practicum student in mind who already appears to fit these criteria.

Please note that space is limited. Reserve your spot early.

Should you be unable to complete the program within one year, you may request a program extension. To do so, you must contact the Stern Center on or before August 25, 2027. The Stern Center will work with you to submit an extension request to the Wilson Certification Board for their consideration. All extension requests are reviewed by the Wilson Certification Board on a case-by-case basis and approval is not guaranteed. We strongly encourage participants to work with their administration and their trainer to complete the program within one year.