Ava White Tutorials, Inc. is a Wilson® Accredited Training Partner, a status which affirms we meet Wilson Language Training® standards for excellence in the delivery of Wilson® professional learning and business practices, and have been reviewed by Wilson Language Training. To become a Wilson® Accredited Partner, an organization must successfully complete a robust accreditation review process. Prerequisites include having a qualified Wilson® Credentialed Trainer on staff. Wilson Language Training® and Wilson Accredited Training Partners have received Accreditation Plus 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.
Wilson Language Training® is a provider of research-based reading and spelling programs for all ages. Its multisensory, structured curricula — Fundations®, Just Words®, the Wilson Reading System®, and Wilson Fluency® have been proven highly effective. These programs offer several literacy instructional tiered models to meet the needs of distinct student populations: prevention & early intervention for K-3 students (Fundations), intervention for grades 4 - adult (Just Words) and intensive intervention (Wilson Reading System) for grades 2 - adult.
The Wilson Reading System® (WRS) is a research based multi-sensory language program based on Orton-Gillingham principles and philosophy for teaching reading and spelling. The teaching plan is based on continuous assessment of the student’s needs. Students build accuracy and automaticity of single word decoding and progress to fluency of connected text as they progress from simple to more complex language and orthographic patterns.
In addition, Ava White Tutorials, Inc. became a Wilson® Accredited Partner in 2013. This status affirms that AWT meets Wilson Language Training® standards for excellence in the delivery of Wilson® professional learning and business practices, and has been reviewed by Wilson Language Training. Both Ava White Tutorials and Academy of Innovation faculties are dedicated to preserve the fidelity of the Wilson Reading System® as they work with our academy and after-school tutoring students. Many of AWT's tutors and AOI's teachers are designated as a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner®, recognized by the International Dyslexia Association or Wilson Reading System Level I or II Certified and supported by the expertise of our in-house Wilson® Credentialed Trainer.
Because of this extensive training we can deliver instruction with fidelity and achieve extraordinary results. Therefore, instruction is provided by master teachers with in-depth Orton-Gillingham based professional learning with the Wilson Reading System. The lessons in our program are diagnostic, prescriptive, and designed to meet individual learning needs.
At Ava White Tutorials, and Academy of Innovation, we know that when the Wilson Reading System® is delivered with fidelity and as prescribed by a qualified teacher or tutor, it works. We also know that a critical factor for student success is teacher knowledge. Teachers must have an in-depth knowledge of the speech sound system and must know how our written language represents spoken English. In addition to language structure, teachers also need to master how to teach using multisensory and diagnostic techniques.
Ava White Tutorials, Inc. is proud to be a Wilson® Accredited Partner and are able to provide Wilson® professional learning courses that include the Wilson Reading System®, WRS Level I Certification, Just Words® and Fundations®. Wilson® training provides teachers with the practical knowledge to guide their students to become better readers and writers. We invite you to contact us about coming to you to provide Wilson® professional learning for your staff or sending your teachers to our local Wilson® offerings.
"This is one of the BEST trainings I have ever attended, and I'm looking forward to using it in my classroom." - Teacher feedback
"It was a lot of information at once. I appreciate being shown how to get organized to begin the program this school year." - SPED Resource teacher
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Are you a school administrator considering Wilson® professional learning for your teachers? We'd be glad to help!
Here is some basic information...
Participants: Up to 30
Price: $7,750.00*
(Travel expenses not included)
Participants: Up to 30
Price: $3,250.00/day
(Travel expenses not included)
Participants: Up to 30
Price: $3,250.00
(Travel expenses not included)
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The Wilson Reading System® (WRS) Level I Certification program is designed to prepare teachers to effectively implement WRS Steps 1-6 with students who are reading and spelling below grade level, as well as those diagnosed with a language-based learning disability, such as dyslexia. It consists of two components: the WRS Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader (Steps 1-6) online course and the WRS Steps 1-6 Practicum with companion online course.
A critical factor for student success is teacher knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply those in the classroom with students. The WRS Level I Certification Program provides a course that deepens teachers’ content knowledge while providing a supervised practicum that allows teachers to apply and practice skillful use of research-based strategies. Considerable time, effort, and study are required for the WRS Certification program. Each participant 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.
Completion of WRS Level I Certification makes one eligible to receive the professional credential of Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner (W.D.P.)
Prerequisite
WRS Introductory Course must have been completed within the last 5 years. Either the 3rd or 4th edition is acceptable and student must be approved by the assigned trainer prior to beginning. Bachelor's degree in Education or related field.
Cost
The cost for the practicum and online course that is necessary for certification is $3,450.00. For individuals that have previously completed the online course and need only the Practicum, the cost is $1,750.00 for the five required observations and consultation. Payment is due at the beginning of the practicum. We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards.
Duration
Practicum participants have 12 months from their enrollment date to complete the online coursework and the practicum.
Delivery Options
For local participants (Gainesville, GA) - Participants who live locally should plan to bring their student to our office to complete the five required observations.
For participants who are not local to Gainesville, GA - For participants who do not live locally, the five required observations can be made via video chatting (Skype, Facetime, etc.).
For schools or districts
Schools and districts considering or currently implementing the Wilson Reading System may be interested in certifying a group of their educators.
Contact Wilson Language Training® (WLT) to explore development of a COMPASS Plan (Comprehensive Plan for Achieving Success and Sustainability).
Requirements
Your student must also be approved by Ava White PRIOR to beginning instruction.
Submit a pretesting report on the practicum student, including educational history and current test results.
Complete a comprehensive online course: WRS Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader (Steps 1-6).
Develop a Teacher Binder and Student Portfolio and compile student’s written work in accordance with WLT program standards.
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.
Be observed five times teaching the practicum student. Each observation is scheduled with the Wilson® Credentialed Trainer and lasts approximately 60-75 minutes.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 multi-sensory procedures.
Demonstrate student mastery of reading, spelling, fluency, and comprehension.
Conduct pre- and post-testing with three tests, including the Wilson Assessment of Decoding and Encoding (WADE), and the Word Identification and Spelling Test (WIST). An additional norm-referenced test must be submitted. Submit post-test data with practicum student final report after a minimum of 65 lessons and achievement of WRS Substep 4.2.
First things first - does your identified student qualify? They must meet the following criteria:
- Student should be entering grades 4-12 (grade 3 approved if student has been retained)
- Cognitive ability in the average range (minimum IQ = 80)Pretest reading scores range from 5th - 30th percentile
- Student's listening comprehension ability is higher compared to independent reading comprehension
- Student has poor decoding and spelling skills
- Student must be available to be scheduled at a minimum four to five 45-minute lessons or two to three 60-minute (1:1) lessons per week
- The practicum student must not have had any previous Wilson Reading System® instruction, can be a former Fundations® student
Whether the criteria is met should be determined from school records and current testing. Testing results used to select practicum student must be no more than six months old.
Ava's suggestions for things to consider when choosing a student:
- Good attendance at school
- No major health issues
- No severe behavioral, emotional or attention issues
- Good work ethic and motivated student
- Supportive family who sees the value of a long practicum and free tutoring
For practicum student approval, you will need to do the following:
1. Administer the 4th Edition WADE (Wilson Assessment of Decoding and Encoding) and send results via email to Ava, to be used as a screening for student approval.
2. Then, you must administer the WIST (Word Identification and Spelling Test).
3. Your final step is to obtain another standardized, norm-referenced assessment. See options below.
Scores obtained must be within 6 months of your practicum registration. Any one of the following is suggested*:
- Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests – III
- Woodcock-Johnson IV (WJ-IV)Tests of Achievement*
- Woodcock-Johnson III Diagnostic Reading Battery (WJ-III DRB
- Wechsler Individualized Achievement Test, Third Edition (WIAT-III)
- Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Third Edition (KTEA-3)*
*Wilson Reading System® Practicum Student Pre & Posttesting: Standardized Testing Requirements
You'll also want to consider the following factors:
- Start Date
- School year end date
- School calendar interruptions
- Access to practicum student
- Cancellations due to weather or illness
Required Materials:
- WRS Introductory Set (Steps 1-6), 4th edition, containing instructor and student materials
- WIST (Word Identification and Spelling Test) for student testing.
Think you're ready? Fill out the form below to get the ball rolling!
Member of GAPSEC (Georgia Association Private Schools for Exceptional Children),
GISA (Georgia Independent School Association), and accredited by the Georgia Accreditation Commission
