Best Science of Reading Strategies to Improve Outcomes for Students With Special Needs (K-8)

Presented by Chassidy Craft
Experienced Special Education Teacher, Science of Reading Consultant, and National Presenter

Specifically Designed for Special Education Staff Serving Students in Grades K-8: Special Education Teachers, Resource Specialists, Reading Specialists, Literacy Coaches, Instructional Assistants and Administrators

Evidence-based Science of Reading approaches for better identifying and supporting students with disabilities
Practical Science of Reading strategies to easily incorporate into your daily special education instruction
Flexible reading and writing scaffolding strategies for implementing Science of Reading and Specially Designed Instruction
A digital resource handbook filled with tools, templates, and ready-to-use Science of Reading activities and resources

Practical Ideas and Strategies

In this NEW seminar by Chassidy Craft, you'll discover how to apply the Science of Reading within your special education setting to support students who have IEPs. Designed especially for special education teachers, interventionists, and resource specialists, this seminar will show you how to recognize early signs of reading and writing challenges and implement targeted, evidence-based interventions that accelerate literacy growth in grades K-8.

Chassidy will share the latest brain research and translate it into practical, classroom-ready techniques that strengthen decoding, fluency, and comprehension for learners who need the most intensive support. You will walk away with a wealth of ready-to-use strategies, assessment tools, and instructional routines tailored to students with learning disabilities and reading goals on their IEPs. Leave inspired, informed, and equipped with new tools to help every student— no matter their learning difference— experience greater success in reading and writing.

Ten Key Benefits of Attending

Best Science of Reading Strategies to Improve Outcomes for Your K-8 Students With Special Needs
Discover high-impact, evidence-based strategies that address decoding, fluency, spelling, and comprehension challenges— designed specifically for students in grades K-8 with IEPs for reading challenges
Learn Research-Based Approaches That Strengthen Reading Skills
Discover teaching techniques that yield the greatest reading gains for students receiving special education services
Boost Word Recognition With Effective Orthographic Mapping Techniques
Gain practical, research-backed methods that help students connect sounds to letters and recognize patterns essential for fluent word reading and accurate spelling
Improve Screening, Assessment, and Targeted Intervention for Students With Reading Challenges
Learn what to look for when identifying students who struggle with literacy— use practical tools for better screening, diagnosing, and tracking progress in grades K-8
Use Explicit, Science-Based Teaching Strategies to Address Reading Struggles in Grades K-8
Learn how to deliver explicit, systematic, structured, multisensory instruction that builds foundational skills in early read-ers while also addressing the more complex needs of upper elementary and middle school students with reading goals on their IEPs
How To Strengthen Neural Pathways to Better Support Reading for Students With Disabilities
Explore what brain research is telling us and how to apply strategies that reinforce phonological, orthographic, and semantic processing for K-8 students with IEPs
Build Phonological and Phonemic Awareness Using Research-Based Methods Across K-8 Grade Levels
Learn how to support students at all stages of reading development— from early phonological awareness to advanced phonemic awareness in multisyllabic words— using proven techniques to promote lasting growth
Strengthen Vocabulary and Background Knowledge to Improve Comprehension Outcomes
Learn how to integrate vocabulary instruction, morphological awareness, and content-rich texts to help students with disabilities access complex texts and improve overall comprehension
Boost Word Recognition and Multisyllabic Word Decoding Through Orthographic Mapping
Explore techniques that promote reading automaticity by helping students decode and store multisyllabic and irregular words, improving fluency and freeing cognitive resources for understanding
Receive a Comprehensive Digital Resource Handbook for Applying the Science of Reading in Special Education
Return with an extensive digital handbook packed with ready-to-use ideas, strategies, and step-by-step guidance for helping students with learning disabilities become more confident, capable readers

Outstanding Strategies You Can Use Immediately

Here's what you'll learn:

Guidance on scaffolding reading strategies for specially designed instruction in specific disability-related needs
How to recognize early signs of reading and writing challenges in students with special needs
Ways to use screening and assessment tools to identify and address reading difficulties
Strategies for applying data to guide instruction and monitor progress toward IEP goals
Effective methods for building phonological and phonemic awareness in diverse learners
Tools for connecting sounds to letters through orthographic mapping
Best practices for delivering explicit, systematic, structured, multisensory literacy instruction
Research-based strategies to improve decoding, spelling, and comprehension outcomes
Practical ways to integrate Science of Reading principles into IEP-aligned instruction across grade levels
Methods for promoting automatic word recognition and fluent reading
Techniques for building vocabulary and background knowledge to improve comprehension
Ideas for incorporating morphology and content-rich texts to strengthen reading understanding
Insight into how reading profiles differ among students with disabilities
Brain-based practices to strengthen neural pathways that support reading development
Ready-to-use resources for applying Science of Reading strategies in special education classrooms
Practical tools for collaborating with special education teams to align reading goals and instruction
New approaches to scaffolding comprehension for students with complex learning profiles
Innovative strategies for maintaining student motivation and engagement during instruction
Clear examples of connecting Science of Reading principles to daily classroom practice

A Message From Your Seminar Leader

Dear Colleague:

If you've ever poured your heart into teaching reading— trying every strategy you know, differentiating lessons, giving extra support and encouragement— and still watched your students with special needs struggle, shut down, or avoid reading altogether, you know how exhausting and discouraging it can feel. Many of our learners with IEPs want to succeed, but when reading doesn't come easily, frustration often shows up as challenging behaviors, withdrawal, or complete avoidance. We know these students are capable— we just need the right tools to unlock how they learn best.

That's where the Science of Reading makes such a difference. It helps us understand how reading develops in the brain, what can interfere with that process for students with disabilities, and how to intervene with instruction that truly works. In our day together, I'll share practical, evidence-based strategies with realistic classroom application— designed specifically for students who learn differently.

My goal is for you to leave this one-day seminar feeling encouraged, equipped, and confident in how to help your students move forward— regardless of where they're starting. This work is hard, but it's also deeply rewarding, and I can't wait to spend the day learning, sharing, and problem-solving right alongside you!

Sincerely,
Chassidy Craft

P.S. As an experienced special education teacher, I understand the unique challenges you face helping students with special needs learn to read, and read to learn. This seminar is designed to give you information and practical ideas on the Science of Reading you can use immediately!

Who Should Attend

Special Education Staff Serving Students in Grades K-8: Special Education Teachers, Resource Specialists, Reading Specialists, Literacy Coaches, Instructional Assistants and Administrators

Special Benefits of Attending

Extensive Digital Resource Handbook
Each participant will receive an extensive digital resource handbook giving you access to countless strategies. The handbook includes:

Practical Science of Reading techniques and activities for supporting students with special needs
Science of Reading Information to share with colleagues and apply now in your teaching practice
Science of Reading activities and strategies that boost success on IEP Goals
Tools to track student progress monitoring of IEP goals
Resources to support practical implementation

For in-person seminars, registrants will also receive a printed copy of the resource handbook as long as their registration is received in the BER office at least 15 calendar days before the event.

Share Ideas
This seminar provides a wonderful opportunity for participants to meet and share ideas with other educators interested in better supporting the reading progress of students with special needs.

Consultation Available
Chassidy Craft will be available for consultation regarding your questions and the unique needs of your own program.

On-Site Training Guarantee

BER is not a booking agency that just finds a presenter who presents on the topic you requested. Rather, we only recommend highly experienced BER presenters who have consistently received outstanding evaluations from educators attending their trainings.

Consequently, we provide a strong program guarantee.

We guarantee you'll be fully satisfied or you'll owe us nothing after your on-site training event.