Reading

Programs of Study:  The Master of Education in Reading Program is a nationally recognized  program of study, approved by the International Reading Association (July 2007) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (March 2006). This program of study adheres to the International Reading Association Code of Ethics.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• The Reading Specialist certificate may be obtained in the Master of Education in Reading and Reading Specialist programs only as an added certificate to a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II teaching certificate. The teaching certificate needs to be in an area which includes coursework in reading. (e.g., secondary education, elementary education, special education, early childhood).

•  Effective January 1, 2011: The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has enacted legislation which is reflected in Chapter 49-2 requirements regarding certification programs. Chapter 49-2 requirements for the Accommodations and Adaptations of English Language Learners (ELL) stipulate at least 9 credits (270 hours) of coursework in Special Education and at least 3 credits (90 hours) of coursework in English as a Second Language. All certification candidates who enroll in a certification program after January 1, 2011 will need to meet the PDE requirements unless they have met these requirements in a previous certificate. Please know that the Foundation and Application Level coursework in the Graduate Reading program already has embedded 3 credits (90 hours) in Special Education.

M.Ed./ Reading Specialist Certification

Requirements

• Valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certificate*
• 36 credit hours;
• Comprehensive Program Portfolio;
• Praxis Reading Specialist Exam.

* Applicants who hold out-of-state certification or invalid PA certificates, may be admitted conditionally, but will not be able to complete the program until they hold a valid PA Instructional I certificate. The Graduate Reading program does not award or recommend candidates for the initial Instruction I or II certificate.

This Graduate Reading Program is designed to lead to a Master of Education degree and Reading Specialist certification. The goals of the program are twofold. First, it is intended to prepare reading specialists/literacy coaches who can plan, implement, and maintain a developmental instructional program. Second, it provides teachers with the ability to recognize and to work effectively with learners who have varying degrees of difficulty in reading, or who have other learning problems. The focus of the program is both preventive and corrective. In order to achieve this, the program includes a combination of theoretical and practical experiences and activities.

Applicants who hold a valid Pennsylvania (PA) Instructional I or II Certificate, have taken the Praxis Reading Specialist Exam and successfully completed all required reading education and degree requirements will be issued a Master of Education degree. Those who have passed the Praxis Reading Specialist Exam and have met the preceding requirements will be recommended to the PA Department of Education for Reading Specialist certification.

Reading Specialist Certification

(available to those who already hold a Master of Education degree and seek Reading Specialist certification)

Requirements:

• Valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certificate*
• 24 credit hours;
• Comprehensive Program Portfolio;
• Praxis Reading Specialist Exam

*Applicants who hold out-of-state certification or invalid PA certificates, may be admitted conditionally, but will not be able to complete the program until they hold a valid PA Instructional I certificate.

This Graduate Reading Program is designed to lead to Reading Specialist certification. The program of study will prepare reading specialists/literacy coaches who can plan, implement, and maintain on-going instructional programs in literacy.  Additionally, it provides teachers with the ability to recognize and work effectively with learners who have varying degrees of success in reading and learning.

Applicants who hold a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II Certificate, have a Master in Education Degree, successfully completed all required reading education courses, and take and pass the Praxis Reading Specialist Exam will be recommended to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for certification.

Program Completion: All students accepted into the programs described above must complete all requirements within six (6) calendar years.

Application Information: To apply for either the Masters of Education in Reading program (which includes Reading Specialist certification) or for the Reading Specialist certification program, apply now. Be sure to review the admission requirements in the box above right.

Application for Candidacy: All students accepted into the program (excluding those on probationary status) should make application for candidacy after completion of between twelve (12) and twenty-four (24) graduate credits with an academic average of 3.0.  At least six (6) credits must be from the area of specialization. Students should download the Application for Candidacy Form (PDF), complete the form, obtain his/her advisor's signature, and forward the application to the Registrar's Office, 115 Stratton Administration Center.  Candidacy must be obtained at least one semester before the degree is granted.

Program Requirements

I. Required  Coursework(24 hours)

• Foundation Level Courses (15  hours)
  • EDU 502 Seminar in Educational and Psychological Research Pertinent to Reading
  • EDU 551 Principles of Reading Instruction
  • EDU 552 Teaching Reading in the Content Area
  • EDU 555 Reading Disabilities
  • EDU 557 Foundations of Reading Comprehension
• Application Level Courses (9 hours)
  • EDU 575 Clinical Practicum in Reading : Diagnosis  (PREREQUISITES: all Foundation Level courses)
  • EDU 576 Practicum in Reading Instruction: Corrective and Remedial (PREREQUISITES : EDU 575 and admission to candidacy)
  • EDU 577 Leadership for Reading Educators  (PREREQUISITES: all Foundation Level courses)

NOTE:  EDU 575 and EDU 577 may only be taken in the same semester with permission of the Graduate Reading Committee.

II. Required Electives (12 hours)

Candidates are advised to select electives that will benefit them as reading specialists/literacy coaches.  Courses related to diversity, children's literature, writing instruction, curriculum, and technology are highly recommended.  Courses in other areas may be taken in consultation with their advisors.  Please know that EDW courses will not count as electives in the Program.

III. Comprehensive Program Portfolio: As a summative evaluation, a comprehensive program portfolio is required. The portfolio will reflect the professional standards of the International Reading Association. Candidates must have completed all their reading courses or be enrolled in their final reading course in order to present their comprehensive portfolios. Presentations will be made to graduate reading faculty three times during the year : in April (May graduation);  June (August graduation); and November (December graduation).

The Comprehensive Program Portfolio task and scoring guide were authored by Dr. Sandy Chambers and Dr. Mary Laub and reviewed and approved by the Graduate Reading Committee, plus recognized by the International Reading Association and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Board of Examiners.

IV. Completion of Reading Specialist Praxis Exam: In order to graduate, all candidates must take the Reading Specialist Praxis Exam and have official cores on file at Kutztown University. In order to receive reading specialist certification, candidates must pass the Reading Specialist Praxis Exam.

Application for Graduation:

Application for graduation must be made in writing to the Graduate Office by the date published in the Master schedule and Registration Instructions. Please note that graduation (formal ceremony) occurs only in May and December. However, recommendations to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for issuance of Reading Specialist Certification will be made upon completion of all requirements.

Application for Certification: 

 The Pennsylvania Department of Education now requires that each candidate submit her/his application online using the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).   Application should be made after the completion of all requirements which includes obtaining a passing score on the Reading Specialist Praxis Exam and receiving your final GPA.

• Directions for the TIMS online application

Widener Doctoral Program :  Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, in partnership with Widener University, has offered a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program in Reading and Language Arts. For more information contact Dr. Sandy Chambers, Doctoral Program coordinator, at chambers@kutztown.edu.