Empowering Educators and Students Through Structured Literacy | Slant System
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Empowering Educators and Students Through Structured Literacy

Megan Zanocco, Special Services Director in Belvidere, IL, shared her district’s enthusiasm for adopting the Slant System™. “We started training a group of teachers last year, and once word spread about the positive impacts on both teachers and students, many more eagerly joined this year.”

The Slant System™ offers a comprehensive approach to dyslexia reading instruction, providing teachers with a systematic, multimodal framework that supports all learners. Through explicit phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies, this literacy instruction system empowers educators to deliver high-quality instruction, especially for students who need more intensive reading intervention, such as those with dyslexia.

A key advantage of structured literacy is its emphasis on multimodal literacy instruction. Teachers are trained to use a range of strategies that engage different learning pathways, making reading accessible to every student. By focusing on dyslexia education, teachers gain confidence in supporting students with diverse learning needs, ensuring that no child falls behind.

LaRonda Johnson, a sixth-grade special education teacher, has experienced these benefits firsthand. “The Slant System reading program has been highly effective with my 6th-grade students with learning challenges,” she shared. “It has positively impacted student outcomes along with noticeable improvements in their reading skills and overall confidence in their abilities. The Slant program aligns well with individual reading goals, and teachers and students benefit from its effectiveness. I look forward to using Slant each day to make a difference in my students’ reading abilities. Thank you for bringing this structured literacy program to Belvidere.”

The district’s success highlights the importance of literacy training for educators. As Megan pointed out, the effectiveness of this system lies not only in the curriculum but also in the support teachers receive. With dedicated leaders like Beth, Karla, and Stacey providing guidance, educators feel more equipped to apply structured literacy techniques, leading to better outcomes for both teachers and students.

Through targeted strategies and the dedication of educators, structured literacy is transforming classrooms, giving every child the chance to succeed in reading.

April 14, 2026 in Success Stories

The Breakthrough: How Structured Literacy Transformed Student Outcomes in Belvidere, IL

The Breakthrough: How Structured Literacy Transformed Student Outcomes in Belvidere, IL By Beth Hatlen, in collaboration with Michele Jacobs Over the past three years, Slant System™ has partnered with Belvidere…
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March 31, 2026 in Dyslexia, Success Stories

From Struggle to Success: How the Slant System Is Transforming Student Readers

From Struggle to Success: How the Slant System Is Transforming Student Readers The insights and outcomes shared in this spotlight come from a teacher currently in practicum, Dr. Kimberly Q.…
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March 27, 2026 in Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, Science of Reading

Why Background Knowledge Is the Missing Link in Reading Fluency and Comprehension

Why Background Knowledge Is the Missing Link in Reading Fluency and Comprehension Part 1: Background Knowledge By Karla O'Brien If you haven’t had a chance to read the original post,…
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