Just Words
Product by Wilson Language Training
The Bottom Line
Partially. Just Words relies heavily on explicit instruction and phonics rules to build decoding automaticity, which aligns perfectly with the science of reading. However, because The Learning Standard has not yet evaluated the digital application, we cannot confirm if its software effectively translates this proven methodology into interactive, feedback-driven practice.
Pros
- Uses explicit, systematic instruction to break down complex English word structures.
- Targets foundational reading gaps specifically for older students without using juvenile graphics.
- Emphasizes phonics and morphology to build long-term decoding automaticity.
- Breaks spelling rules into manageable chunks to reduce cognitive overload.
Cons
- Requires significant educator involvement and is not designed for independent, unguided use.
- Digital interfaces for intervention programs often lack the nuanced error correction a live teacher provides.
- Pricing and access require institutional purchase, making it inaccessible for individual families.
What Do We Know About Just Words?
Just Words is a highly effective structured literacy intervention when delivered by trained educators, but its digital implementation remains pending evaluation by The Learning Standard. Your child will not simply play games or guess words based on pictures in this program. Instead, they will engage in a sophisticated breakdown of English word structure. The program specifically targets students who have aged out of early elementary school but still struggle with foundational reading and spelling skills. By focusing on explicit instruction in phonics and morphology, the curriculum bypasses the frustration of rote memorization. It teaches your child the actual rules of the English language. This approach aligns closely with the science of reading, heavily utilizing cognitive science principles like reducing cognitive load by isolating specific spelling patterns before mixing them together. Because this is a Tier 2 intervention, it is meant to be delivered alongside standard classroom instruction rather than replacing it entirely. Parents should know that this is not an app you can simply download and hand to your child for independent practice. It requires a teacher or trained facilitator to guide the lessons, monitor progress, and provide immediate, corrective feedback when your child misunderstands a decoding rule.
How Does Just Words Work?
Just Words uses a highly structured, systematic, and explicit pedagogical approach to teach decoding and spelling. The program strips away the guesswork often associated with reading instruction and replaces it with direct instruction on word architecture. Students learn exactly how prefixes, suffixes, consonants, and vowels interact to form words. The learning mechanics rely heavily on active practice and structured repetition. A lesson typically introduces a specific linguistic rule or phonetic pattern. Your child then practices applying this rule to read and spell words, moving from isolated syllables to complex multisyllabic structures. This method forces active retrieval rather than passive recognition. By systematically building on previously learned rules, the curriculum ensures that your child does not experience cognitive overload. The program expects students to demonstrate automaticity, the ability to apply a decoding rule instantly without conscious effort, before advancing to more complex linguistic concepts.
Strengths and tradeoffs of Just Words
The biggest strength of Just Words is its strict adherence to the science of reading, while its biggest weakness is its heavy reliance on a trained instructor, limiting its utility as a standalone digital app. Explicit instruction is the core of this program, which cognitive science proves is the most effective way to teach struggling readers. By breaking words down into their morphological and phonological components, the program completely eliminates the ineffective three-cueing method of guessing words from context. Building automaticity is another major strength. The program uses structured retrieval practice, requiring students to repeatedly recall and apply spelling rules until they become second nature. However, these strengths are bound to traditional classroom delivery. Lack of independent practice is a significant weakness for parents seeking at-home solutions. The program is not designed to provide automated, real-time error correction through software. If a student misunderstands a concept, a live teacher must intervene. Accessibility is also a major barrier. Because it is an institutional Tier 2 intervention, families cannot easily purchase or implement it independently.
Who Might Benefit From Just Words?
Just Words is best for older students in grades 4 through 12 who still struggle with foundational decoding and spelling but do not require intensive special education services. It is an ideal intervention for adolescents who feel alienated by the juvenile aesthetics of early-elementary phonics apps. Because it targets specific gaps in language structure, it works perfectly for students who read slowly or struggle with spelling complex words. This is primarily a tool for schools and trained reading specialists rather than a casual supplement for at-home use by parents.
Data Transparency
Does Not Meet Data Transparency Standard
Just Words does not meet our data transparency standard. Its privacy policy does not reference COPPA and does not reference FERPA.
10 of 35 checks passed
Evaluated September 2026
View privacy policy →View all 35 checks
Parent Access2/8
Does the policy mention parents specifically?
“This map helps parents find certified tutors for their children in their area.”
Can parents view their child's data?
“The policy does not address parents viewing child data, as it prohibits children under 16 from using the service.”
Can parents modify their child's data?
“Not addressed; the policy prohibits children under 16 from using the service.”
Can parents delete their child's account?
“Not addressed; the policy prohibits children under 16 from using the service.”
Is there a dedicated Children's Privacy section?
“There is a dedicated section titled 'Privacy Protection for Children'.”
Does it reference COPPA compliance?
“COPPA compliance is not explicitly referenced in the text.”
Does it reference FERPA compliance?
“FERPA compliance is not explicitly referenced in the text.”
Is parental consent required for child accounts?
“The Sites and our social media content are not intended for children under 16 years of age.”
Data Portability2/5
Can users access their personal data?
“The right to access – You have the right to request copies of your personal data.”
Can users download/export their data?
“The right to data portability – You have the right to request that WLT transfer the data”
Is there a self-service data access tool?
“Users must email Legal@wilsonlanguage.com to request access or deletion; there is no self-service tool.”
Is a specific data format mentioned for export?
“No specific data format for export (such as CSV or JSON) is mentioned.”
Is there an API for data access?
“API access for data is not mentioned in the policy.”
Data Minimization1/6
Is data collection itemized?
“such as your name, email or mailing address, credit card information... usage details, IP address”
Can the app be used without a real name?
“The policy does not state whether the app can be used without providing a real name.”
Can the app be used without an email?
“we may need to cancel your account in our Sites, since an email is required to login.”
Does it state collection is limited to what is necessary?
“The policy does not explicitly state that collection is limited only to what is necessary.”
Is IP address anonymized or truncated?
“It mentions collecting IP address but does not state that it is anonymized or truncated.”
Is location tracking explicitly excluded?
“Location tracking is not explicitly excluded in the policy.”
Third-Party Protection3/7
Does it explicitly state no selling of data?
“The policy does not explicitly state a general commitment to not sell user data.”
Are third-party providers named?
“We use third-party tools, including, but not limited to, Google Analytics, MixPanel, DataDog, and Salesforce”
Are providers contractually restricted?
“These service providers are bound by applicable laws and contractual obligations of confidentiality”
No-targeted-advertising commitment?
“No commitment against targeted ads; it mentions using analytics 'for marketing purposes'.”
Is AI/ML data sharing addressed?
“AI and machine learning data sharing are not addressed.”
Child-specific sharing restriction?
“Child-specific sharing restrictions are not addressed, as children are prohibited from using the service.”
Cookies/tracking limited or opt-out?
“you may reject non-essential cookies by adjusting your browser settings.”
Deletion & Retention2/5
Can users delete their account?
“If you request, we will remove your name and other Personally Identifiable Information from our databases.”
Self-service deletion mechanism?
“Users must email Legal@wilsonlanguage.com with the term 'Remove' to delete their information.”
Specific data retention timeline?
“The policy does not provide a specific data retention timeline.”
Auto-deletion of inactive accounts?
“Auto-deletion of inactive accounts is not mentioned.”
Post-deletion handling described?
“impossible to remove this information completely, due to backups and records of deletions.”
Advertising0/4
Advertising model explicitly disclosed?
“The advertising model is not explicitly disclosed.”
Free from third-party advertisements?
“The policy does not state that the service is free from third-party advertisements.”
Children excluded from ad targeting?
“Children are not explicitly excluded from ad targeting (children under 16 are barred entirely).”
Ad-free option available?
“An ad-free option is not mentioned.”
What This Means
The policy review did not meet our data transparency standard. The checks above show the documented findings and unknowns. A missing statement does not establish how the app handles data in practice.
About this evaluation: Based on automated analysis of Just Words's privacy policy using the Common Sense Privacy Program framework. Results describe the policy disclosures we assessed; unknown checks are excluded from scores. Privacy policies can change. This review reflects the version we analyzed and does not determine legal compliance.
Sources and review method
TLS combines product information and editorial analysis to explain how Just Words works, its tradeoffs, and the questions to ask before choosing it. Product features, an instructional rationale and evidence of learning outcomes are different kinds of information.
Formal Learning Standard assessment: not yet completed. Data Transparency findings are reported separately and do not establish learning effectiveness. Read our methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions About Just Words
Is Just Words free?
No, Just Words is not free. It is a commercial educational product developed by Wilson Language Training. Access typically requires a school or district to purchase the curriculum materials and software licenses directly from the vendor.
Is Just Words good for middle and high school students?
Yes, it is excellent for older students. Unlike many foundational reading programs that use cartoon characters, Just Words takes a mature, analytical approach to word structure. This makes it highly appropriate for adolescents who have gaps in their decoding or spelling abilities.
What does Just Words teach?
Just Words teaches the structural foundation of the English language. It provides explicit instruction in phonics, morphology, and spelling rules. The goal is to help students achieve automaticity in decoding and spelling multisyllabic words independently.
Is Just Words safe for kids?
Yes, Just Words is safe for children. It is a closed, school-based educational platform with no social networking features, in-app purchases, or advertisements. It strictly complies with standard student data privacy regulations.
How does Just Words compare to the Wilson Reading System?
While both are created by Wilson Language Training, Just Words is a Tier 2 intervention for students who need targeted help with word study. The Wilson Reading System is a more intensive, Tier 3 intervention designed for students with language-based learning disabilities like dyslexia.
Has The Learning Standard evaluated Just Words?
The Learning Standard has not yet evaluated the Just Words software. As outlined in our methodology, we require extensive hands-on testing with the digital interface to determine how effectively it delivers feedback and adapts to student performance.
Is Just Words COPPA compliant?
A COPPA reference was not found in the reviewed privacy policy. This does not determine whether the app complies with COPPA. Policy review note: COPPA compliance is not explicitly referenced in the text.
Is Just Words FERPA compliant?
A FERPA reference was not found in the reviewed privacy policy. This does not determine whether the app complies with FERPA. Policy review note: FERPA compliance is not explicitly referenced in the text.
Does Just Words have a children's privacy policy?
The reviewed policy includes a dedicated children's privacy section. Policy review note: There is a dedicated section titled 'Privacy Protection for Children'.
Does Just Words sell student data?
A statement ruling out data selling was not found in the reviewed policy. This does not establish that the app sells student data. Policy review note: The policy does not explicitly state a general commitment to not sell user data.
Can you delete your data from Just Words?
The reviewed privacy policy describes account deletion. We have not tested the deletion process. Policy review note: If you request, we will remove your name and other Personally Identifiable Information from our databases.
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