An estimated 1 in 5 students have characteristics of dyslexia, and dyslexia accounts for 70-80% of all learning disabilities. In our St. Louis Catholic schools, the growing number of students needing reading intervention due to dyslexia characteristics has required interventions that meet their needs.

The Office of Catholic Education and Formation (OCEF) recently sponsored 25 educators from around the archdiocese to participate in initial training in the Wilson Reading System. OCEF's Department of Special Education provided specialized training to interested school staff who wanted to provide more intensive intervention to students with dyslexia or other learning disabilities in reading.  

The Wilson Reading System is an internationally renowned, highly researched, evidence-based reading intervention program that improves reading and writing outcomes for students who struggle to decode and spell. OCEF's Department of Special Education is providing a two-year pathway that includes the initial three-day training, four additional video trainings, and the option to pursue Wilson certification through a supervised practicum during year two.

Wilson Dyslexia Training Specialist, Courtney Marlow, flew into St. Louis to provide the in-person training at the Cardinal Rigali Center last month. After the three-day workshop, she shared that the 25 Catholic educators’ engagement, warm welcome, and enthusiasm inspired her. Marlow presents many times a year across the country and noted how fulfilling it was to see the blend of Christian values and special education expertise in the St. Louis training.

An estimated 3,000 Catholic school students in the archdiocese have diagnosed learning disabilities in reading. A growing need to provide intensive instruction for these students led to the provision of this program. The archdiocese now has 21 elementary schools with Wilson-trained tutors who can provide dyslexia screenings and specialized instruction. The Wilson Reading System pathway to certifications was made possible through the generous donations made to OCEF's Department of Special Education, including the ACA, Monsignor Gardin Foundation, and private donors.