Lexia Fills the Gaps in Professional Learning

Somerset Academy has seven charter campuses in Las Vegas. Each is a bit different in size and population, but educators at all of the campuses are succeeding in their literacy journey thanks to Lexia® LETRS® Professional Learning. 

Instructional Coach Melanie Smith says Somerset leaders adopted LETRS five years ago and found many teachers were lacking the professional knowledge needed to spot their students’ trouble spots and fix them. 

She gave the example of a young girl who read beautifully out loud. Her parents were angry she was put on a reading plan, but through Lexia®, her teacher realized she wasn’t understanding anything she read. Thanks to LETRS, the teacher was able to clearly explain the problem to the parents. The teacher told Smith, “I never would have known how to explain that to the parent without the knowledge I have now.” 

Smith says that is empowering for her fellow educators. “I love seeing the teachers taking ownership. They’ve reignited a love of learning. It’s been a really positive change.” She also says she has confidence in the program because she has seen the evidence that it works.

“I trust the people who wrote the programs that we’re using,” Smith said. “I trust them because they don’t tell me what to do. They tell me why I’m going to do what they suggest I do, and I’m big on the why. Kids ask: ‘Why?’ all the time. And we’re just big kids in disguise!”

This short video will show you more about Somerset Academy’s Lexia success.