Spelling Mastery
About the Intervention
Spelling Mastery is a Direct Instruction curriculum designed to explicitly teach spelling skills to students in grades 1 through 6, specifically targeting students with learning disabilities. The program uses three strategies: phonemic (teaching sound-symbol correspondence), morphemic (teaching prefixes, suffixes, and word bases), and whole-word (teaching irregular words through memorization). Teachers deliver fully-scripted lessons in daily 15-20 minute sessions, with instruction provided in scaffolded steps. The program has six levels (A through F), each with 60 to 120 lessons. Teachers present exercises, listen to student responses, and provide immediate feedback. Students' progress is assessed using regularly scheduled tests. Each level includes a teacher presentation book, teacher/series guide, student workbook, and software.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect on writing
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Those with DisabilitiesPrograms & Services
Special Education ServicesDelivery Methods
Face-to-FaceDisability Support
Specific learning disabilityTarget Groups
Student(s)Source
U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, What Works Clearinghouse. (2014). Spelling Mastery. Retrieved from https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/WWC/intervention/762.
Study Demographics
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Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
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