Barton versus Wilson - Can both be taught at once?

I just returned from my kid’s IEP meeting to find out she does qualify for services/acommodations. In the meantime, I have been tutoring her with the Barton system - we are half way thru level 2 and I am starting to see positive differences in her attitude as well as decoding ability. We tutor M thru F for 30 min before school so if we have to skip a session or two no big deal. Her school uses the Wilson Reading System which is OG based but I am not familiar with it at all. Is it possible to tutor with two systems? Not sure I have that much faith in the ESE teacher or staff to completely turn over the tutoring for her - no one on the ESE team had heard of Orton-Gillingham except the psychologist.

Would appreciate any and all feedback. I certainly don’t want to set her back. What to do?

A key question would be whether or not the person who would be using Wilson has been trained in it. Since no one but the psychologist had heard of OG, I have doubts about that criterion being met.

Another key question would be whether the person actually uses Wilson as it was designed. Especially with teachers who have been untrained, there is a tendency to add things, change things, or leave things out that can render an otherwise good program relatively ineffective.

Aside from that, my understanding of Wilson is that it is meant for older students (at least 9yo, I think) and that it is a lock-step program in that it starts everyone at the very beginning.

You don’t mention your child’s age or how long it has taken you to work through Barton.

Personally, based just on what you have posted, I would continue with Barton since it seems to be working and pass on the school’s offer of Wilson. The least desirable choice would be to leave everything up to the school. For one thing, you are providing one-on-one at home which is a more efficient teaching method than even small group, much less classroom.

Nancy

Hi Nancy -

Savannah is 8 yrs 9 months - we started Barton level two Jan 2 and just started lesson 4 in that level. She has mastered everything given to her so far without having to redo any lessons.

I’m not opposed to me learning another system as long as it is OG based, but a big plus for the Barton system is that is teaches syllable division patterns and Wilson does not - a real weakness for my kid. She really needs to master that.

Savannah is to get daily one on one instruction in her gen ed classroom during the 90 min block of time designated for reading. During the last 60 min the kids rotate around centers and she is to have the ESE service as one/two of her rotations - the time was not spelled out in the IEP - only “daily”.

I spoke with the ESE coordinator this AM about training me with the Wilson system so we are not confusing my kid and so that I may continue thru the summer. She indicated that I should continue what I was doing at home and the the reading coach would need to train the new ESE teacher in Wilson. Wanting to be positive I said “Perfect, then we can be trained at the same time and can coordinate lessons”. I was told that the system taught would be an abbreviate plan - meaning not used as it was designed or at least that is how I interpret it. Anyway, the reading coach for the county is to call me today. Hopefully everything can be spelled out. If not, I have no problem going to the top with my reasonable request.

I just want to do the best/most efficient thing for my kid. Time is not on our side.

Thanks so much for your input - Cindy

Got a call from the ‘reading coach’ - all the ESE personal have had the 2 day Wilson overview course in the county. The reading coach has had “no OG training but has heard a lot about it”. Our ESE teacher is new (10/06) and has not had the training yet but is anxious to get started. GREAT. A student teaching my kid basically. I’m inclined to “refuse” (don’t you love that word, makes it sound like I’m not being cooperative) and just go with the Barton system and take the accommodations. My husband says if we don’t take the service they will be inclined to hold her back in 3rd grade if she performs poorly on the FCAT. What to do?

My first thought would be to refuse. Given your husband’s comment, though, my second thought would be to accept but to keep up *Barton* at home and through the summer. I wouldn’t bother to learn Wilson. Chances are what is done at school won’t confuse your dd, but your Barton instruction at home will keep her moving on.

Lots of children do very well with OG tutoring even though they continue to receive ineffective instruction at school.

At this point I wouldn’t stress over it. Since your dd has shown responsiveness to Barton, I think it’s very likely she will be fine — as long as you can continue to provide Barton for her at home.

Nancy

Well that’s basically what Susan Barton said given the situation. Keep on tutoring at home. I got all stressed about it yesterday - drafted a letter to the Dir ESE asking for training for the ESE teacher - but then talked to my kid after school and she really likes the ESE teacher. They have one on one time together and went to another room. Basically they just read together and made sentences, fill in the blank, stuff like that. I really don’t have a problem with that - She really needs one on one time just reading and that saves us time at night - one less thing to do to keep up. I’ll continue with the Barton every weekday before school. I’m (finally) comfortable/confident that we are doing it right. As long as she doesn’t start getting confused but I’m betting it will take 3 plus months before the ESE teacher gets any training and even tries the Wilson system. She is new to the school. By that time it will be summer and we can hit it harder at home. Maybe I’m dreaming but by the start of next grade year maybe she won’t need her and we can just have the accommodations. We should be thru level 4-5 by then and hopefully on grade level. Thanks for your support - have a nice weekend.