Program Overview
Western Oregon University's Reading Endorsement program empowers K-12 teachers with at least three years of experience to become reading specialists or enhance their reading instruction skills. Through 24 credits of core courses and electives, participants gain foundational literacy knowledge, develop pedagogical practices, cultivate literacy leadership values, and prepare for the PRAXIS Reading Specialist exam.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Reading Endorsement program at Western Oregon University is designed for K-12 licensed teachers with at least 3 years of experience who wish to become reading specialists or enhance their reading instruction skills. The program aims to:
- Prepare teachers to become reading specialists or improve their reading instruction skills.
- Provide advanced foundational knowledge of K-12 literacy development.
The program is open to individuals who have already completed the requirements for a teaching license. Reading is considered a support area for the teacher's original licensure area. The program enhances reading-specific knowledge and skills relevant to classroom teachers, resource teachers, and reading specialists.
Outline:
The Reading Endorsement program requires the completion of 24 credits, including core courses and electives.
Core Courses:
- ED 609 Practicum: 1-15 credits
- ED 655 Foundations of Literacy: 3 credits
- ED 667 Supporting Language and Literacy Development: 3 credits
- ED 668 Assessment & Reading Instruction: 3 credits
- ED 672 Literacy Leadership Practicum: 3 credits
Electives:
- ED 628 Teaching Writing Across the Disciplines: 3 credits
- ED 680 Psychology of Reading Instruction: 3 credits
- ED 689 Contemporary Children’s and Young Adult Literature in the Classroom: 3 credits
- ED 693 Teaching Reading Across the Disciplines: 3 credits
Other:
- All programs must be approved by the Coordinator of Reading.
- All courses must be successfully completed before practicum.
- Students must pass the PRAXIS Reading Specialist (5301) test to add the endorsement to their Oregon teaching license.
Assessment:
Careers:
- Reading Specialist: The program prepares teachers to become reading specialists.
- Classroom Teacher: The program enhances reading-specific knowledge and skills for classroom teachers.
