LA PORTE CITY – The Union Community School District continues to strengthen student literary outcomes through a two-year professional learning initiative focused on the Science of Reading and Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS).

The district implemented the training to improve foundational reading skills across grade levels and equip staff with research-based strategies that directly connect instructional practice to student learning and growth.

“We wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure our teachers have the tools and knowledge to provide the highest-quality literacy instruction for our elementary students,” Superintendent John Howard said. “Through this training, we are working to meet the needs of all learners and build strong reading foundations that will support students throughout their educational journeys.”

The LETRS program was designed to provide educators with in-depth professional learning over a two-year period. At Union CSD, the training has been completed by elementary principals and the curriculum director, along with three preschool teachers and 31 classroom and special education teachers. Together, participants completed approximately 1,973 hours of structured professional learning, including coursework, collaboration, and classroom application.

As a result of the training, staff have strengthened instructional practices in several key areas, including explicit and systematic phonics instruction, vocabulary and language development, data-informed decision-making, and consistent literacy instruction across grade levels.

“LETRS taught me how students learn to read and all the skills that go into becoming a good reader,” Rachel Hellman, a fifth grade teacher at La Porte City Elementary, said. “It also taught me many strategies to support the process for my student. This has changed how I approach teaching reading to my entire class, not just struggling readers. I have been able to plan activities that build deeper meaning for students and activities to support struggling readers with the skills they need to become better readers.”

“With years of teaching experience behind me, the LETRS program has given me new tools to be even more intentional and effective in my literacy instruction,” Lynne Ternus, a first grade teacher at Dysart-Geneseo Elementary, said.

District leaders said professional learning has also played an important role in guiding the district’s literacy curriculum adoption process.

“Our investment in LETRS has directly informed our literacy curriculum adoption process,” Curriculum Director Corindy Stoakes said. “The knowledge our literacy team has gained through this training has strengthened our ability to evaluate instructional materials through the lens of the Science of Reading. As a result, we are making thoughtful, informed decisions to ensure our next step in curriculum is aligned with the needs of our students and reflects best practices in literacy instruction.”

To learn more about LETRS professional learning, visit the Lexia LETRS website: https://www.lexialearning.com/letrs.