The Wilson way: The science of Reading
I am a fierce advocate for literacy. š As a teacher, a leader and a parent, I have seen the difference in life outcomes for students when we use evidence based practices to help those that need it.
Last September, I submitted written testimony in support of the Right to Read act when it was in the Massachusetts House, and this week it passed the Senate unanimously. Congratulations to the dedicated parents, educators and citizens for all of their hard work in this victory! Special shoutout to Lisa Lazare at Educators for Excellence and the MassReads Coalition for their advocacy.
Now that the āscience of readingā and early literacy is all the buzz, let me bring your attention to Wilson Language Training, a program and company that I āhang my hatā on (IYKYK).
First off, I have no affiliation with Wilson. They donāt pay me or buy me fancy dinners for my loyalty. Itās easy for schools and districts to be led astray to programs that arenāt based in the āscience of readingā. My intention here is simply to help educators, leaders, parents and students advocate for their literacy needs, because Wilson works!
A timeline of my āfangirlingā for Wilson":
2004-2009: I used Wilson when I was a teacher with my own 5th grade students in the Bronx who couldnāt read, many of them ESL but born in the U.S., then as a teacher leader establishing intervention programs across our middle school.
2009-2015: I used Wilson when I was a NYC Department of Education administrator as part of my literacy initiative in PK-Early College schools across the city. This included early literacy preventative programming (Fundations), intervention programming for upper elementary to high school students (JustWords), and intensive intervention programming for dyslexic students of all ages (Wilson Reading System). I supported schools in screening assessments, class scheduling, teacher training, pedagogy and more. Every child of every age and background deserves to be able to read and read well!
2015-2016: I implemented Wilson programs when I was part of the Holyoke Public Schools central office receivership team in order to assist our schools to reduce special education referrals.
2016-2025: As founding executive director of Teach Western Mass, I made sure evidenced based literacy was a component of our teacher training program, the TWM Residency.
And last but not least, as the parent of a dyslexic child, I made sure she received early intervention using Orton-Gillingham methods (yes Wilson!) and continued support through her public schools.
After using Wilson programs for the past 20+ years, personally and professional, I have seen the improvements in students firsthand. It takes methodical, systematic work, but it works.
Let us also never forget that reading is a civil rights issue too.
Black and Brown boys are disproportionately referred to Special Education programming compared to their peers. This often results in defacto segregation within schools, as they are put in different classrooms or even schools. Special Education and getting the support you need is not a bad thing of course, but often times the proper evidenced based literacy practices have not been implemented beforehand. It is a studentās right to be in the most inclusive setting possible (aka least restrictive)!
All of that is to say, Wilson Works. Check it out.
Happy Black History Month!
-Pema
February 1, 2026
