Louisa Moat met with a group of teachers at a conference in Daphne, Alabama. This meeting was a new experience for her at the age of 81. Moat candidly says, "They come to me very concerned and surprised, thanking me for reviving their sense of purpose and empowerment. I often experience this feeling."
Moat and the LETRS Educational Program
Louisa Moat is recognized as a new champion in some circles for her educational program called "Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling" (LETRS), which she wrote years ago and has now become a popular asset. She says, "I look at this attention with caution" and emphasizes that what teachers do in their classrooms may not align with her ideas.
Increased Interest in the Science of Reading
Interest in the science of reading has significantly increased, especially considering the concerning literacy rates in America. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in 2024, about 40 percent of American children have not learned basic reading skills by fourth grade, the worst result in 20 years. Additionally, one-third of eighth-grade students are also reading below the expected level.
To address this decline, states are looking for successful models in education and have passed laws under the title of science of reading laws. These laws have been enacted in 42 states and D.C. over the past seven years, requiring schools to use structured and specialized instructional techniques.
Moat's program, LETRS, is considered the primary method used to meet these requirements. This training course includes 155 hours of instruction and costs $1,700 per teacher. However, 23 states have purchased this program, and some, like Alabama, are offering teachers a $1,000 bonus.
Moat is now emerging as an educational leader, and these changes in the education system seem to be both surprising and satisfying for her.
