Purpose
The Reading Specialist Certificate (Area of Distinction) prepares teachers for certification as a Reading Specialist in grades K-12. Reading specialists must demonstrate the ability to produce high levels of student achievement in literacy. Literacy requires an understanding of reading and writing intertwined with the ability to interpret critically and apply new information to existing knowledge. Every school should have access to Reading Specialists who have specialized training related to addressing reading difficulties and who can give guidance to classroom teachers in language arts, writing, and content area reading.
Program Competencies
Outcomes Assessment
The assessment of outcomes consists of multiple measures. Grades on assignments and for courses are the first level of assessment. The course goals, learning outcomes, and assignments are designed to address the measurement of program and graduation competencies. Candidates will take an online test of their content knowledge at the end of their program, as well as a disposition survey. PRAXIS II (5302 Reading Specialist) must be taken and passed (score of 164) prior to petitioning for the certificate. It is a requirement. Praxis scores should be submitted to Wilmington University via ETS. They will also need to be posted in Taskstream. *Candidates must have a valid teaching license in order to enroll in this certificate.
Course Requirements
Clinical Courses: All clinical courses are semester courses
| MRD 7815 | Application of Strategies for Teaching Content Area Reading | 5 |
| MRD 7903 | Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Difficulties | 6 |
| MRD 7920 | Practicum in Reading | 6 |
MRD 7903: This course requires a final grade of “B” or higher
Reading Specialist Course Requirements
| MLL 7402 | Second Language Acquisition in ELL | 3 |
| MRD 7802 | Process and Acquisition of Literacy | 3 |
| OR | |
| MRD 7930 | Coaching Adult Learners (Cert Candidates, only) | 3 |
| MRD 7806 | Writing Assessment and Instruction (Cert Candidates, only) | 3 |
Delaware Certification - School Reading Specialist
Current Delaware Department of Education regulations (DE Title 14, §1581) stipulate that teachers who hold a valid Delaware Initial, continuing, or Advanced License; or a Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to December 31, 2003, and who have met the requirements as set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 and who have met the additional requirements in the regulation may apply for a State of Delaware Standard Certificate as a Reading Specialist. This includes three years of successful classroom teaching.
However, certification requirements are subject to change by the Delaware Department of Education and the Professional Standards Board. The most recent information about those requirements can be accessed at the Delaware Department of Education/Professional Standards Board website.
NOTES:
Any changes in Delaware licensure and certification regulations could cause Wilmington University to make course and/or program adjustments in order to align with new or revised state requirements. Wilmington University reserves the right to change requirements to comply with any licensure/certification mandates of the Delaware Department of Education.
Wilmington University has not made determinations for licensure in states outside of Delaware. For state-by-state contact information for inquiring about individual state licensure requirements, please visit NC-SARA's Professional Licensure Directory.