News

Foundations Learning System brings students to grade-level proficiency in reading through its unique focus on automatic word recognition

DALLAS, Sept. 10, 2020 — Voyager Sopris Learning, a division of Cambium Learning Group, Inc., today announced it is partnering with Foundations in Learning and will become the exclusive distributor of the Foundations Learning System (FLS) for schools in the United States. Designed for both developing and struggling readers in grades 2–9, FLS ensures students develop the requisite proficiencies for skilled reading.

Research scientists Dr. Carolyn Brown and Dr. Jerry Zimmermann, co-founders of Foundations in Learning, have spent more than 30 years studying the needs of both developing and struggling readers. FLS resulted from a decade of research and product development focused on bringing the science of learning to building reading skills.

FLS addresses deficiencies in automatic word recognition through a first-of-its-kind diagnostic that identifies deficiencies in the automatic use of foundational skills, and adaptive, blended instruction. Importantly, the system impacts academic outcomes for persistently struggling readers, English language learners, students who learn differently, and special needs students—populations that lag in reading proficiency measures, according to the Nation’s Report Card.

FLS trains students to automatically apply existing knowledge of phonics, phonemic awareness, and phonological awareness to new words and contexts when reading, an often overlooked aspect of skilled reading. By providing individualized practice on these critical skills, the program serves as a powerful prevention of reading struggles in younger learners and as remediation for older struggling learners.

Combined with its first-of-its-kind automaticity diagnostic, its blended instruction has been shown in early studies to significantly improve student success in accessing grade-level content. Dr. Brown explains there are an average of nine to 10 students in every classroom whose ability to make academic progress is stalled because they lack automaticity in foundational reading skills.

“All students should have access to gateway foundational skills that are essential to reading fluency and comprehension,” she said. “Two-thirds of students in this country cannot read proficiently. At least half of these students lack automatic foundational skills.”

“Leveraging the most current learning science, including the success of the Varied Practice Model, FLS gives teachers a classroom-proven solution to the longstanding reading challenge in our country,” Dr. Brown continued.

“More than ever before, educators are looking to research-based technology to help them achieve better results,” said John Campbell, CEO, Cambium Learning. “With the addition of FLS to an already powerful suite of literacy solutions, Voyager Sopris Learning continues to make investments designed to help all students, including those struggling the most.”

Voyager Sopris Learning will begin selling the Foundations Learning System in January 2021.

For more information about Foundation in Learning and the Foundations Learning System, visit www.foundations-learning.com, call (888) 701-3009, extension 100, or send an email to info@foundations-learning.com.

For more information about Voyager Sopris Learning, visit www.voyagersopris.com.

About Foundations in Learning
Foundations in Learning is a provider of scientifically based, empirically derived instructional solutions for elementary and middle school age students. The company’s researchers and program developers have decades of experience in creating, testing, and providing schools with effective programs to meet the individual needs of their students. Foundations in Learning’s digitally-delivered, research-based solutions use technology to provide access to learning models that are effective for the development, application and generalization of reading and mathematics skills. Learn more at https://www.foundations-learning.com/

About Voyager Sopris Learning
Voyager Sopris Learning^® is an education partner committed to unlocking the full potential of every teacher and every student. We believe that the best way to meet and exceed standards in education is to address the underlying systems of teaching and learning, and to nurture those systems at their most fundamental levels. Our programs and services are based on research and classroom evidence, ensuring they are easy to implement, teacher friendly and effective. We offer a variety of digital and blended instructional tools, programs, and professional development, all of which are designed to help every teacher deliver nothing short of the highest-quality instruction to every student. Voyager Sopris Learning is a business unit of Cambium Learning® Group, Inc.

For more information, visit www.voyagersopris.com, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

About Cambium Learning Group, Inc.
Cambium Learning^® Group believes every student has great potential, teachers are mission-critical, and data, instruction and practice work together to drive performance. With a portfolio of award-winning brands, Cambium Learning Group’s digital and blended curriculum, assessment, and professional learning solutions drive proficiency, equity, and other learning outcomes in classrooms everywhere. Brands include Learning A-Z^® (online differentiated instruction for elementary school reading, writing and science); ExploreLearning^® (online interactive math and science simulations, a math fact fluency solution, and a K–2 science solution); Voyager Sopris Learning^® (blended solutions that accelerate struggling learners to achieve in literacy and math and professional learning for teachers); Cambium Assessment (innovative technology providing educators with trusted, timely, and relevant information about student learning); and VKidz^® Learning (online preK-12 homeschool curriculum and programs for literacy and math).   

Come learn with us at www.cambiumlearning.com.

###

Media Contacts