Literacy is an essential skill for navigating the modern world. However, some children struggle more than others when learning how to read. This is where reading specialists come in, as they have extra training to teach literacy to struggling readers. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota provides an online K-12 Reading graduate certificate licensure program for licensed teachers. Here, we provide tips for choosing the right online reading licensure program to launch you into a valuable and rewarding career path.
Key Takeaways
- Before searching for an online reading licensure program, start by defining your goals.
- Look for a program that teaches evidence-based strategies, structured literacy routines, assessment skills, intervention planning, and adult coaching.
- Familiarize yourself with the program format to make sure it meets your scheduling needs while still delivering a high-quality education.
Reading Program Goals: Licensure, Endorsement, or Skill-Building?
First, when searching for an online reading licensure program, it is important to define your goals early. Students complete the program for many reasons and at many different stages of their career paths. Common goals for enrollment include:
- Licensure: You are a licensed teacher looking for ways to advance your career. A K–12 Reading Licensure program provides opportunities to pursue positions like reading specialist or literacy coordinator.
- Skill building: You are a licensed teacher looking to expand your skillset. Extra training equips you to teach literacy-challenged students effectively, even in a standard teaching role.
If you are pursuing licensure or certification, then you should confirm this alignment as soon as possible. By setting your goals early, you can ensure that your credits are optimized toward the skills you will need to succeed on the state exam.
Non-Negotiable Program Features
Once you have defined your goals, you can create a list of features to look for. Certain features are not negotiable, no matter what you may gain from the degree program. These features are fundamentals for any reading program:
- Scientifically–Based Research: The program should focus on early literacy components and how learners develop reading skills over time that lead to skilled reading.
- Structured literacy routines: The program must demonstrate how to design a personalized, systemic daily plan to improve a child’s reading ability.
- Assessment and diagnosis: The program must demonstrate how to analyze performance and diagnose unique challenges related to reading, such as dyslexia.
- Intervention planning: The program must train students to design and implement appropriate interventions for individual and district-wide literacy concerns.
- Adult literacy coaching: The program must cover literacy coaching for both K-12 learners and adults.
- Multilingual literacy: The program must train students to build English-language literacy in children from language backgrounds other than English.
These features are essential for teachers who plan to teach literacy under the Minnesota READ Act. The act aims to have every child in Minnesota reading at or above their grade level, and to support multilingual and special education learners in meeting the same benchmarks. It outlines specific requirements for school districts and teachers to accomplish these goals.
Online Format Details
Online programs offer great flexibility, helping you fit coursework around your full-time job and other responsibilities. Not all online programs are made equally, however. Different universities and even different instructors will format their programs differently. This formatting can have an impact on your success, so it is important to understand how the program will be taught before you enroll. Here are some questions to ask:
- What is the balance between asynchronous and required live class sessions?
- What are the time expectations?
- How frequently are students expected to do group work?
- What are the technology requirements to access class resources?
- How is fieldwork coordinated alongside online portions?
- How is the practicum supervised, and how will I document my hours?
Every student has different needs, and there is no “right” answer to any of these questions. Instead, you should learn as much as you can about the program’s format and expectations to find a program that is best for you.
Enroll in Our Online Reading Licensure Program
Are you ready to enhance your teaching career with K-12 reading licensure ? The online K-12 Reading licensure program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota teaches you core literacy coaching concepts in a convenient online format. Our program focuses on scientifically-based models to equip students for effective classroom teaching. To learn more, request more info or apply now for admission.
Reading Program FAQ
Are online reading licensure programs respected by districts?
Online reading licensure programs are highly respected by school districts, and certification is in demand across the nation.
How long is the online reading licensure program?
The reading certificate program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is approximately 10 months long.
Can I work full-time and take the online reading licensure program?
Yes, the online format gives you the flexibility to study while working full-time.
