The educational landscape is witnessing a significant shift as EPS School Specialty, a long-standing provider of educational resources, has rebranded itself as Eps Learning, fully dedicating its focus to student literacy. This strategic pivot, announced in January, signals the company’s commitment to addressing the pressing challenges in English language arts education for preK-12 students through science-based methodologies and resources.
This transformation follows EPS School Specialty’s separation from its parent company, School Specialty, in March 2023. The subsequent rebranding to EPS Learning marks a decisive step in carving out its distinct identity and specialization in the literacy domain, moving away from its previous offerings in math and association with its former parent company, which now operates as an online school supply store.
According to Steven Guttentag, CEO of EPS Learning, this rebranding underscores the company’s focused approach to literacy. He emphasized in a public statement that EPS Learning is “deliberate in its focus on high-quality literacy solutions,” aiming to blend “the best of print and digital resources” to empower educators in meeting the diverse learning needs of students striving to become proficient readers. This renewed emphasis comes at a crucial time as national reading scores have shown concerning declines, a trend further highlighted by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the Nation’s Report Card reveals a notable five-point drop in average reading scores for 9-year-olds between 2020 and 2022, underscoring the urgency for effective literacy interventions.
EPS Learning‘s approach is firmly rooted in the science of reading, a well-established and continually evolving body of research that elucidates how children learn to read most effectively. Key components of this science include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Janine Walker-Caffrey, Chief Academic Officer at EPS Learning, affirmed the company’s long-standing alignment with these principles. “EPS has been in alignment with the science of reading for decades, and we know that students learn to read best through a structured literacy approach,” she stated. EPS Learning has developed a comprehensive literacy framework designed to provide educators with solutions that cater to students’ individual learning levels, facilitating accelerated progress and achievement.
The company’s commitment to providing comprehensive support is reflected in its diverse catalog of literacy tools. These include print materials enhanced with digital components, assessment tools tailored for special education, AI-powered reading assistants, and digital instructional coaching platforms. This extensive suite of resources underscores EPS Learning‘s dedication to equipping educators with a multifaceted approach to literacy instruction, ensuring students receive targeted and effective support on their journey to becoming skilled and confident readers.
