Education for Certified Teachers MA: Literacy/Reading Specialist (NJ Certificate)

This 36-credit program is designed to develop teachers to become leaders in the field of literacy and reading and is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education for a second Endorsement/ Certification license: Reading Specialist and Supervisor Certificate. Candidates are required to have two (2) years successful teaching to earn Reading Specialist Endorsement/Certification and three (3) years to earn Supervisor Certification.
Degree Plan
Required Courses leading to NJ State Literacy/Reading Specialist Certification/Endorsement & Supervisor Certification
The following courses lead to certification as a Literacy/Reading Specialist:
- EDUC6673 Integrating Literacy & Technology Across the Curriculum
- EDUC6605 Foundations in Reading I
- EDUC6606 Foundations in Reading II
- EDUC6607 Diagnosis of Reading Problems
- EDUC6666 Supervised Practicum in Correction of Reading Problems
- EDUC6609 Supervised Practicum in Reading
- EDUC6582 Distance Learning & Children’s Literature
The following courses lead to certification as a Supervisor:
- EDUC6702 Curriculum and Instruction: Theory and Practice
- EDUC6703 Supervision of Instruction & Personnel Evaluation
- EDUC6718 Curriculum/Program Evaluation and Student Assessment
- EDUC6704 Change: Curriculum Development & Program Improvement
Course required for completion of the M. A. in Education:
- EDUC7674 Master’s Seminar: Research in Specialization
For candidates seeking additional preparation, but not certification:
For individuals who do not need state endorsement but want to learn more about current literacy research, balanced reading approaches, and specific reading strategies, there is an alternative 18-credit FDU Certificate. This pathway offers K-12 classroom teachers a concentration of courses that will extend their knowledge and skills in language arts, literacy, reading, and effective teaching strategies that envision student literacy as a foundation for learning in other content areas. Please contact the School of Education for more information about this training option.
Course Descriptions
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EDUC6582 This on-line course emphasizes how to use children?s literature in the classroom. Teachers learn how to integrate children?s literature into the curriculum of all subjects and across all grade levels. Students learn how to use technology to enrich the study of children?s literature.
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EDUC6605 Recent research and findings in language develop- ment and literacy and their application in elementary through secondary education are the focus of this course. Literacy skills in reading and language arts across grade levels K-12 are also included.
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EDUC6606 Research and findings in language development and literacy, and applications in social studies and science in the elementary school are the focus of this course. Literacy across the curriculum is also emphasized.
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EDUC6607 This course includes a systematic study of the selection, administration and interpretation of formal and informal techniques and instruments used to assess phonological and phonemic aware- ness, word recognition, vocabulary development and reading comprehension. Students practice writing reports of reading evaluations and state required ISIPS - Individual Student Improvement Plans.
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EDUC6609 This course places teachers with a mentor/University clinical teaching supervisor in a classroom/school or University clinical reading program for 45 hours of supervised clinical experience in which the knowledge and skills from previous course work will be reinforced and extended. The reading program may be part of an after-school or summer-school program operated by a university or school. A University clinical teaching supervisor will observe the particpants and provide support and mentoring.
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EDUC6666 This 45 hour course places candidates with a collaborating teacher and a university clinical teaching supervisor in a clinical reading setting for a minimum of 30 hours of supervised clinical practicum experiences, in which the knowledge and skills from previous course work will be reinforced and extended. A university clinical supervisor will observe the candidates, interview the collaborating teacher and provide support and mentoring.
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EDUC6673 This course will examine various techniques that promote literacy and technology across the curriculum. The definition of literacy will be explored based upon the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards (NJCCCS). Emphasis will be on how technology can be integrated into a literacy program. Teachers will use the Internet to explore and share ideas on how literacy can be promoted in the classroom. Specific instructional strategies will be examined, and examples of effective technology integration into literacy lessons will be presented and discussed.
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EDUC6702 Students will study and analyze the historic and philosophic roots of contemporary curriculum theory and development. New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and alignment will be addressed in this course, and the implication on New Jersey Administrative Code requirements on program, assessment and graduation requirements.
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EDUC6703 Students will study and analyze the various models of supervision and evaluation with a special emphasis on the development of the skills necessary to promote effective instruction of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in the classroom. Formative and summative staff evaluation strategies as well as effective coaching and mentoring techniques necessary for success in a diverse school community will be investigated. The implication of the New Jersey Administration Code requirements on professional behavior, SLO'S, SGP'S PARCC testing, and schoolwide improvement of program and state assessment of pupil performance will be reviewed.
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EDUC6704 Students will examine current research on educational change and collaborative strategies for increasing communication and engaging stakeholders in the change process. A primary focus of the course is to provide students with the skills needed in assessing the school culture, developing a vision and plan for school improvement. The course will focus on several change models and strategies, strategic planning, and the communication of the change process within the learning community.
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EDUC6718 This course focuses on basic measurement concepts, the role of measurement in education, construction of teacher-made tests and other classroom assessments, interpretation of standardized tests and fundamental descriptive statistics for evaluating student performance, school improvement efforts, and various designs for process and outcome evaluation of curricula. In addition, the course will provide a comprehensive understanding of the purposes and the logic of various testing programs, including classroom testing,state and national testing programs. Data analysis of New Jersey Statewide Tests that measure student performance will be used to assist in developing skills in data-based decision making that lead to the construction of school improvement plans and determining school goals for professional development and instructional emphasis.
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EDUC7674 This course serves as a capstone experience that extends and reinforces the teachers' knowledge, skills and competencies related to professional and educational practice through reearch and completion of a culminating project in their relevant area of specialization. The course reviews research methodologies and various research models. The teacher will prepare a research study on a topic/problem of his/her choice (subject to approval by an adivsor) under the directions of a mentor. The teacher will be required to submit a written report and action plan in approved format, subject to the approval of the mentor in accordance with School of Education policy.