Verticy Learning programs are designed to help students
overcome reading or writing challenges so they may recapture the joy of academic success.
Verticy is designed for struggling readers and students who exhibit characteristics of language-based learning differences: • Struggle with reading, writing or spelling • Face difficulty decoding words • Exhibit strong listening comprehension skills, but struggle when reading independently • Experience issues with memory and retention • Perform below grade level in reading and writing • Benefit from a variety of instructional techniques: visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic • Exhibit frustration and may resist learning
Why Students Benefit from Verticy • Verticy Learning focuses on the structure of language: phonics, spelling, grammar and composition. Skill set mastery is developed along a continuum—skills such as phonemic awareness and organization techniques. • Students learn to think through language problems rather than guessing. New skills are continuously practiced to ensure retention, automatic retrieval and application. • The acquisition and retention of these basic skills contribute to a solid foundation that leads to success in all subjects. • Subject matter is reviewed each time students move to the next level, solidifying basic skills. Students are placed in a level that reflects their skill sets and allows advancement at their own pace. • With Verticy, students can focus on a solid foundation of skills, rather than a body of knowledge a student is expected to acquire by a certain age or grade level.
For more details about the Verticy program, visit verticylearning.org. For information about utilizing Verticy in an educational environment, visit calvertpartnerschools.org/verticy.
Intervention Options
Verticy Learning is a comprehensive curriculum designed to close the achievement gap by improving students’ reading, writing and spelling skills. Verticy’s aim is to improve these skills through systematic and explicit instruction that implements multi-sensory and Orton-Gillingham-based instructional strategies. These researched and time-tested strategies are presented in a guided lesson format that combines texts, manipulatives and assistive technology.
Verticy Intervention Options Close the Learning Gap. • Provide Early Intervention, Response to Intervention, AYP, Language Arts, Supplemental and ELL curricular solutions • Offer Special Education solutions to meet the needs of Resource Rooms, IEPs and 504 Plans • Reduce the need for extensive Special Education costs • Retain per-pupil revenue through district-led distance learning solutions • Provide time- and cost-effective training, professional development, learning management systems, pre- and posttesting, ongoing progress reports, accredited transcript documentation and Advisory Teaching Service
Verticy meets students where they are and moves them toward their academic goals. Courses can be customized based on four areas: • Grammar/Composition (four levels of instruction: for ages 6–adult) • Phonics/Spelling (four levels of instruction: for ages 6–adult) • Math (Grades 3–8) • Literature (Grades 3–8) • A complete curricular solution is also available with the integration of our Core Subjects for Grades 3–8. (Social Studies/History, Science, Geography, Technology and Art)
1 (877) 485-8283 • calvertpartnerschools.org/verticy
Verticy Supports Educators and Students Through a Blended Curriculum. Verticy consists of a combination of textbook and manipulative based instruction, with differentiated instruction, enrichments, and additional review and practice activities supported by computer-based resources and assistive technology. Online resources are integrated and give students access to virtual book rooms, online leveled readers, and interactive quizzes, games and enrichment lessons. These resources also provide teachers with pre- and post-testing, daily checkpoints and progress monitoring.
Every Student is Unique. So is Every Verticy Course. Verticy allows the students to access grade level materials for their core subjects in order to meet school and state requirements while improving areas of deficit.
Intervention Options Supplemental (Brick and Mortar)
Customized course:
A ten-year-old fourth grader is attending a public school. He struggles in his language arts class and is using Verticy as an intervention program. He uses the Yellow Level of Phonics/Spelling and the Green Level of Grammar/ Composition during study hall two days a week and during an after-school program three days each week.
Grammar/Composition: Green Level Phonics/Spelling: Yellow Level
Supplemental (IEP)
Customized course:
A seventeen year-old in an alternative learning environment, is reading on a first grade level. The Orange Level of Phonics and Spelling is being used to create foundational reading skills. This student will move through the four levels of the Phonics and Spelling program until he graduates at age 21.
Phonics/Spelling: Orange Level
Verticy Complete (Brick and Mortar or Virtual)
Customized course:
A sixth-grade student tests at a second-grade reading level. She uses the Yellow Levels of Phonics/ Spelling and Grammar/Composition to reduce reading and writing deficits and develop independent grade-level reading and writing abilities.
Core subjects: 6th grade (current curriculum or Verticy Core) Math: 6th grade Grammar/Composition: Yellow Level Phonics/Spelling: Yellow Level
Put the Power of Verticy in Your Students’ Hands!
To support our Partners, Verticy now offers new ways to save on our powerful system. Through volume discounts, ATS discounts, and participation in research, you can save up to 50% off the price of your curriculum!
Call 1 (877) 485-8283 for details. isit http://www.verticylearning.org/why-verticy/ V research-and-results to view our research results.
Virtual Classroom
offers the only Orton-Gillingham-based distance learning curriculum available for Phonics and Spelling that incorporates specialized instruction for struggling readers and writers into the entire curriculum experience. Supplemental reading and math options also provide an add-on enhancement and revenue opportunity for schools.
How to Use Verticy in a Virtual Classroom: Three Models Model 1
Model 2
Model 3
Supervising Teacher teaches all core subjects except the language arts component. Student remains with grade-level students during online core coursework.
Supervising Teacher teaches language arts subjects only (Verticy Supplemental). All levels of Verticy are taught in one class or in multiple classes containing students grouped by levels.
Supervising Teacher or Learning Guide teaches all subjects (Verticy Full Course). Teacher monitors progress of individual students.
Learning Guide teaches Verticy Supplemental: Literature, Phonics/Spelling, Grammar/Composition.
Learning Guide teaches all other core subjects; Science, History/Social Studies, Geography, Art, and Math.
Currently implemented at a virtual school in Pennsylvania
Implementation model for Colorado Calvert Academy State Charter School
Currently implemented at virtual schools in Ohio and Washington
1 (877) 485-8283 • calvertpartnerschools.org/verticy
Brick and Mortar
is an innovative way to serve students in the classroom who are challenged by reading difficulties or language-based learning disabilities (LLDs). Verticy can be used by schools looking for a supplemental reading curriculum for struggling students, a Response to Intervention, or material for pull-out instruction and resource rooms. Detailed lessons allow for individualized pacing and differentiated instruction for students performing at various reading levels. Teacher sets, student consumables, assistive technology and manipulatives can be ordered in single student sets or group sets as needed. Verticy Learning empowers educators, tutors and volunteers to employ systematic and multi-sensory Orton-Gillingham teaching strategies without undergoing hundreds of hours of specialized training.
Verticy provides support for IEPs, 504 Plans, and specific tiers of RTI through: • • • • • •
An individualized program based on each student’s present level of performance The capability to modify assignments and provide extended time The ability to create an intensive remediation schedule Assistive technology for writing and reading support Manipulatives to facilitate both reading and mathematical reasoning and understanding Daily electronic Checkpoints to record and monitor pacing and progress
How to Use Verticy in a Brick-and-Mortar Classroom: A Model Teachers use the local education agency’s curriculum for all core subjects. Students remain with their grade-level classmates during core curriculum classes. Students receive interventions (Verticy Supplemental such as Phonics/Spelling) before, during or after school by a teacher, resource room specialist, tutor or class volunteer. Students receive direct instruction one-on-one or in a small group setting.
Grouping Options Grouping is based on the level of the intervention course.
Groups contain students from various levels.
Implemented by Green Street Academy, a Baltimore City Public School System Transformation School
1 (877) 485-8283 • calvertpartnerschools.org/verticy
Support Options
collaborates with school districts to successfully execute and sustain our program. We have several support options that make this program a turn-key solution for your reading intervention needs. Families, teachers and school systems benefit from Verticy’s expertise in instructional techniques, technology systems and student evaluation.
Education Counselors & Learning Specialists
Technology Team
Verticy Education Counselors and Learning Specialists are available to assist with all aspects of the educational experience. With the help of these professional educators, each with years of instructional experience, you can succeed! These education experts provide:
Our in-house Technology Team is here to support families and schools with answers to questions about Verticy-related technologies.
• Answers to curriculum questions • Teaching strategies • Practical advice and problem solving Teachers and families can move forward with confidence knowing that they have the support of Verticy Learning’s experienced team available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. by phone, email or Livechat.
Consultation Calls In addition to the day-to-day assistance provided by our Education Counselors, Verticy provides ongoing one-on-one phone consultations with new families, schools and tutors during their first few months using Verticy. This support includes: • Assistance getting started • Development of a learning road map for the student • Establishment of an educational partnership
Online Information Sessions Learn more about Verticy, our placement process, online assessments, and individualized course configurations by joining an online information session.
Professional Development Verticy Learning gives teachers the confidence and skills to help struggling readers of all levels. The Calvert and Verticy Professional Development Portals are carefully designed to empower teachers in the highest standards of 21st-century instruction within the context of the Calvert and Verticy programs. Teachers have the unique opportunity to collaborate with other Calvert and Verticy teachers and benefit from the expertise of other educators. Teachers have access to: • Educational tools and resources • Case studies • Orientation videos New items are added to the portal regularly.
1 (877) 485-8283 • calvertpartnerschools.org/verticy
Advisory Teaching Service
Express ATS
Verticy’s Advisory Teaching Service (ATS) can enhance the student’s educational experience by providing personal, constructive and encouraging feedback from a Verticy Advisory Teacher. Our experienced Advisory Teachers are well-versed in child development, instructional strategies and the Verticy curriculum.
Express ATS allows students to submit their ATS tests online and receive the results via e-mail.
Verticy students receive appropriate accommodations for their ability levels. When an Advisory Teacher grades a Verticy student’s original composition, she evaluates the content of the writing rather than penalizing students for spelling and handwriting errors. Accountability for spelling and handwriting increases as students progress through the curriculum and acquire additional skills.
ATS Features • Each student works with the same ATS teacher through completion of the course. • Eight times throughout the year, a set of tests, one in each subject area, is evaluated. • Families may submit up to three daily assignments and a letter with specific questions. • Evaluations include detailed feedback with suggestions on composition, mechanics and processing skills. • ATS teachers provide additional motivation and encouragement for students. • S tudents utilize Read Alouds, which are recorded passages that allow the ATS teacher to provide feedback on fluency and pronunciation. • Students receive a Certificate of Completion upon satisfactory course completion. • A transcript is provided to use for future placement and to show compliance with state requirements. • Online Grammar Review Videos are included to reinforce concepts presented in the course. • Online Practice Tests are automatically graded and provide invaluable preparation for ATS tests. • An Online Gradebook provides easy tracking of ATS test results.
• Students receive quicker test results and feedback. • Schools and parents save postage costs.