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Empowering ALL Learners Through Research-Based Literacy Instruction

Building Wings provides research-based literacy solutions that help learners with complex learning needs build skills, show what they know, and make meaningful progress.
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When students aren’t making literacy progress, it’s not a motivation problem, it's an access problem.

Too many students with significant learning needs are given exposure instead of instruction. They are present in literacy blocks but not meaningfully participating. They are engaged in activities but not building the skills needed to read, write and communicate independently.

Educators are left trying to bridge the gap without the tools, structure, or support to make it work at scale.

Logos of Building Wings educational programs including ReadtopiaGO, Readtopia, News Currents, and Monarch Reader

Literacy instruction designed for the students most systems leave behind.

Building Wings is built specifically for learners with complex needs including students who use AAC, have significant cognitive disabilities, Autism or require highly structured support.

Our approach combines:
  • Explicit, systematic literacy instruction
  • Built-in supports for access and supports communication
  • Opportunities for students to actively engage in reading and writing
  • Clear pathways for demonstrating progress

From Participation to Progress

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Measurable growth in literacy skills aligned to IEP goals

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Increased student engagement in reading and writing

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Greater independence in communication and expression

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Stronger alignment between instruction and assessment

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Imagine seeing ALL of your students with varying abilities making gains in literacy learning. When you implement our special education resources in your inclusive classroom and district, the “impossible” becomes possible. Access our comprehensive 5-year analysis of student literacy outcomes, highlighting measurable growth achieved through the implementation of the Readtopia instructional framework.

A Clear Path from Implementation to Impact

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Structured Instruction

Daily, research-aligned lessons that build real literacy skills

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Built for Access

Supports for AAC users, Autism classrooms and diverse learners embedded not added on.
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Educator Support

Professional learning with real former classroom educators and guidance to ensure confident implementation
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Demonstrated Progress

Tools and assessments that help students show what they know.

What This Looks Like in Real Classrooms

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See What This Could Look Like in Your District

Every district starts in a different place. We’ll walk you through how Building Wings is implemented, what outcomes to expect, and how it can align to your current goals.

It’s time to make literacy accessible for every learner.

Karen A. Erickson, Ph.D.​

Karen A. Erickson, Ph.D. is Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies at University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill. Her focus is on understanding the best ways to assess and teach reading and writing to children with the most severe disabilities. As a special education teacher, Dr. Erickson has worked to support students with a range of disabilities in a variety of classroom settings, particularly students who do not use speech as their primary means of communication.

Website: https://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds

Author Profile: https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=110&Name=Karen+Erickson,Ph.D.

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