Reading Certification

WHAT QUALITIES AND SKILLS DOES A READING TEACHER HAVE?

A Reading Teacher (316)

• Has high expectations for student learning and behavior
• Recognizes the need for strong family and community involvement to support the child's literacy development
• Demonstrates leadership in advocating for the reading needs of all students
• Collaborates with coaches and classroom teachers to assess for reading difficulty and plan for reading support
• Provides reading resources for students, parents, colleagues, and community
• Often is a Title I teacher

A Reading Specialist (17) does all of the above and

• Plans, implements, coordinates, and assesses a comprehensive K-12 Reading/Language Arts program
• Works collaboratively with the administration in supervising the K-12 Reading/Language Arts program and reports annually to the school board on its progress
• Models collaborating with families and community members, responds to diverse community interest and needs, and utilizes community resources
• Understands, responds to, and interacts with the larger political, economic, cultural, and research context of effective reading instruction

WHAT COURSES DO I NEED TO COMPLETE THE 316 READING TEACHER CERTIFICATION?

If you have successfully completed reading courses such as Communication Arts, Young Adult or Children’s Literature you may already have some of the courses needed to begin the reading certification program.

One 3 credit course is required at both elementary and secondary levels:

Area A

Area B
One 3 credit course from the following selection is required:

• ED 327, Teaching Reading to Gifted & Talented Students
• ED 383/583, Tests & Measurements
• English 275, Children's Literature
• English 375/575, Literature for Adolescents
• ED 306, Experimental & Statistical Methods in Education Research

Area C
13 credits must be earned from the selections listed below. The following courses are offered only at the times specified and must be taken in this sequential order.

Fall
ED 740, Reading Teacher Portfolio (1 credit) (extends from Fall through Spring - Internet) (As of 2005 the DPI requires a Reading Teacher Portfolio for certification)

ED 741, Improvement in the Teaching of Reading (3 credits) (Prereq: ED 308/508 or ED 309/509)

Spring
ED 746, Diagnosis & Evaluation of Reading Abilities (3 credits)

Summer
ED 747, Remedial Reading (3 credits)
ED 748, Remedial Reading Practicum (3 credits)

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO ACQUIRE READING TEACHER 316 CERTIFICATION?

To acquire the 316 license it is possible to begin the program in the summer (taking courses such as Reading in the Secondary School), then taking fall, spring, and summer courses, completing the certification program in about a year. At the time you apply for certification, you must provide documentation of 2 years full-time K-12 teaching.

WHAT ADDITIONAL STEPS ARE REQUIRED TO ACQUIRE A (17) READING SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION?

You must have a Master's Degree in an Education related field, 3 years of full-time K-12 teaching, and the following courses:

Spring
ED 749 Seminar in Reading (3 credits)
ED 750 Supervision and Administration of Reading Programs (3 credits)
ED 798 Reading Specialist Portfolio (1 credit, optional)

Summer
ED 528 Reading in Content Areas (3 credits, odd years)
ED 751 WI Reading Research Symposium (1 or 3 credits - offered every summer)

HOW DO I APPLY?

You will need a program review in order to get advice about your individualized plan of study. Please submit the following:

• A brief letter of introduction including: (a) a statement of intent related to the program (specifying your interest in 316 or 17 license) and future goals in a graduate degree program if applicable; (b) a brief summary of your educational background and teaching experiences (past and present); (c) a request for transcript review.
• A copy of your teaching licenses. *
• A copy of your transcripts (does not need to be an official transcript). *
• Your name, address, email, and both work and home phone numbers.

* If you have an already established graduate degree file at UW-Stevens Point that includes a copy of your teaching license and all updated transcripts, please indicate this in your letter.

Send To:
Dr. Erlinda Reyes, Reading Coordinator
School of Education, College of Professional Studies
University of Wisconsin - Stevens PointM
Stevens Point, WI 54481
(715) 346-3292
ereyes@uwsp.edu

CAN I ACQUIRE MY MASTER’S DEGREE AS WELL AS CERTIFICATION?

You may incorporate reading certification into a master's degree via the Master of Science in Education - General Degree (Option B). You will want to apply early. No more than nine credits completed as a graduate candidate may be accepted in the master's program plan. Contact School of Education Graduate Advising, Room 438, College of Professional Studies at 715-346-4403 or www.uwsp.edu/education/Graduate for an application to pursue graduate study.

WHAT IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?

Contact the UW-Stevens Point Reading Coordinator at 715-346-4427 or ereyes@uwsp.edu.