Structured Literacy Programs Compared: Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Barton, and SPIRE

When a child is identified with dyslexia or a reading disability, families often hear that the child needs "structured literacy" — and then find themselves in a conversation about program names they have never encountered before. Orton-Gillingham. Wilson Reading System. Barton Reading and Spelling. SPIRE.

These programs are not interchangeable. Each has a different structure, delivery model, cost, and evidence base. Understanding what distinguishes them helps you ask better questions — and push back if the school's choice does not match your child's needs.

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What Structured Literacy Is

Structured literacy is an umbrella term, not a single program. It refers to reading instruction that is explicit, systematic, sequential, cumulative, diagnostic, and responsive — meaning it teaches phonics, phonological awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension in a structured order, leaving nothing to chance or implicit discovery.

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) endorses structured literacy as the evidence-based approach for students with dyslexia. All of the programs compared here fall under this umbrella, but they vary in how they implement it.

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Orton-Gillingham (OG)

What it is: Orton-Gillingham is not a packaged curriculum — it is a teaching approach developed in the 1930s by Samuel Orton and Anna Gillingham. It is multisensory (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile elements in each lesson), diagnostic, and individualized. Many other structured literacy programs derive from it.

Who delivers it: OG must be delivered by a trained practitioner — a teacher or specialist who has completed OG-specific training (typically 60+ hours of coursework plus supervised practice). There is no script. Lessons are planned based on each student's specific errors and progress.

Who it is for: Students with dyslexia across the age range. Because it is individualized, it can be adapted for mild to severe profiles.

Typical delivery: One-on-one or very small groups. Sessions typically run 45–60 minutes. Schools may offer it through a trained reading specialist.

Evidence base: Strong. Decades of research support OG-based approaches for dyslexia. The What Works Clearinghouse and numerous studies support its effectiveness.

What to ask the school: "Is the staff member delivering OG certified? Through which organization, and at what level?"

OG certifications vary in rigor. The most widely recognized credentialing bodies are the Orton-Gillingham Academy (AOGPE) and the International Dyslexia Association's structured literacy certification (CALT and other designations).

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Wilson Reading System (WRS)

What it is: Wilson Reading System is a structured, scripted curriculum based on OG principles, developed by Barbara Wilson. It is one of the most widely used OG-based programs in U.S. school districts. Unlike pure OG, WRS follows a fixed 12-step sequence with detailed lesson plans and specific materials.

Who delivers it: A Wilson-certified teacher (Level I or Level II certification). Level I is for one-on-one and small group instruction. Level II allows training other teachers.

Who it is for: Students in grades 2 and above with significant decoding and spelling difficulties, including those who have not responded to other reading interventions.

Typical delivery: One-on-one or groups of 1–3. Sessions are typically 50–90 minutes. The curriculum takes 1–3 years to complete depending on the student.

Evidence base: Strong. WRS has been validated in multiple peer-reviewed studies and is listed as an evidence-based program by several state education agencies.

What to ask the school: "At what Wilson certification level is the teacher, and how long have they been delivering the program?" Level I certification requires completing an intensive workshop plus a supervised practicum — not just a weekend training.

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Barton Reading and Spelling System

What it is: Barton is a structured, scripted, video-based program designed to be delivered by parents or tutors without specialized credentials. It uses OG principles but packages them in a highly accessible format with DVD/streaming lessons and manipulatives.

Who delivers it: Anyone — a parent, tutor, or trained paraprofessional. The program is designed for non-specialists.

Who it is for: Students ages 5 and up with dyslexia, including those who have not responded to school interventions. Commonly used by homeschoolers or parents supplementing inadequate school instruction.

Typical delivery: One-on-one. Sessions run 45–60 minutes. The program has 10 levels covering phonemic awareness through advanced decoding.

Evidence base: Moderate. Barton does not have the same depth of independent research as Wilson or pure OG, but it is grounded in OG principles that are well-supported. User reports and some school district reviews support its effectiveness, particularly for home delivery.

What to ask the school: Schools rarely offer Barton as a primary intervention — if a school proposes Barton, ask why they are using a parent-delivery program instead of a program designed for trained educators. Barton is most appropriate as a parent-delivered supplement.

Cost: Approximately $299 per level (10 levels total). Used sets are sometimes available. This is relevant if you are supplementing at home.

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SPIRE (Specialized Program Individualizing Reading Excellence)

What it is: SPIRE is a structured literacy program published by Educators Publishing Service (EPS). It uses an OG-based approach with a sequential, decodable reading and spelling curriculum divided into reading levels rather than grade levels.

Who delivers it: Trained teachers and interventionists. SPIRE includes teacher training and detailed lesson plans that make it more accessible than pure OG while maintaining rigor.

Who it is for: Students in grades K–8 with significant reading difficulties, including dyslexia. The program's level system allows entry at the appropriate point regardless of grade.

Typical delivery: Small groups (up to 3–5 students) or one-on-one. Sessions run 30–60 minutes.

Evidence base: Moderate to strong. SPIRE has been reviewed by the What Works Clearinghouse and has a stronger research base than some newer programs. It is approved as an evidence-based intervention in multiple state tiered-support systems.

What to ask the school: "At what SPIRE level is my child placed, and how was that level determined?" SPIRE uses a placement assessment — if the school cannot explain the placement, the student may not have been assessed correctly.

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Side-by-Side Comparison

	Orton-Gillingham	Wilson Reading System	Barton	SPIRE
Type	Approach / method	Scripted curriculum	Scripted curriculum	Scripted curriculum
Delivery	Trained specialist	Wilson-certified teacher	Parent, tutor, or paraprofessional	Trained teacher
Group size	1:1 or very small	1:1 to 1:3	1:1	1:1 to 1:5
Credential required	Yes (OG certification)	Yes (Wilson certification)	No	Recommended
Evidence base	Very strong	Strong	Moderate	Moderate–strong
Best for school delivery	Yes	Yes	Not typically	Yes
Best for home use	With trained parent	No	Yes	Not typically

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What to Ask When a Program Is Proposed

Regardless of which program the school proposes, these questions apply:

1. "Is the teacher who will deliver this program certified in it? What is their credential and when did they receive it?"
2. "How many minutes per week will my child receive this instruction, and in what group size?"
3. "How will progress be measured, and how often will the data be reviewed?"
4. "What happens if my child is not making sufficient progress after [X] weeks?"
5. "What is the research base for this program with students who have a profile similar to my child's?"

If the school cannot answer these questions specifically, that is relevant information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a specific structured literacy program by name in the IEP? You can request a specific methodology or program, and the team must consider your request. However, the IEP does not typically name a specific commercial product — it describes the type of instruction (e.g., "Orton-Gillingham based, multisensory, systematic phonics instruction") and the frequency and intensity. If you have a strong preference for a specific program, state it and ask the team to explain why they are or are not proposing it.

What if the school says they do not have a trained OG teacher? That is not an adequate reason to deny appropriate instruction. Districts are required to provide FAPE regardless of current staffing. If the school does not have a qualified provider, they may need to contract with an outside specialist, place your child in a different setting, or fund outside services.

Is there a difference between Orton-Gillingham tutoring outside of school and what happens in the IEP? Yes. Outside tutoring is private and paid by the family. IEP services are provided at no cost to the family as part of FAPE. If your child's IEP is not providing adequate structured literacy instruction, you may have grounds to request that the district fund outside services, or pursue due process.

My child's school uses a program called "RAVE-O" or "Fundations" — are those structured literacy? RAVE-O is a fluency and vocabulary program sometimes used alongside phonics instruction. Fundations (from Wilson Language Training) is a whole-class phonics program, not the same as the Wilson Reading System — it is not an intervention program designed for students with significant reading disabilities. If your child has dyslexia, Fundations in a general education classroom is typically not a sufficient substitute for individualized structured literacy instruction.

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If your child's IEP includes a reading intervention and you are not sure whether the program or delivery model is appropriate, our IEP Review Service can evaluate the document and give you specific language to use at the next meeting. For more on dyslexia identification and school rights, visit our Dyslexia hub.

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Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. IEP requirements vary by state and individual circumstance. Consult a qualified special education advocate or attorney for guidance specific to your child's situation.