M.Ed. in Reading and Dyslexia Endorsement

The Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement offers educators required to exhibit proficiency in the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy a rigorous training, including a classroom application component, within a three-course sequence. Educators earning the Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement will better understand the process of the assessment, identification, and remediation of dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.

Educators with the goal of earning the Reading Specialist/Consultant certification complete a Master’s of Education that delivers a comprehensive knowledge of sociocultural, theoretical, and pedagogical practices of literacy instruction.

Educators required by the Rhode Island Right to Read Act to exhibit proficiency in the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy should pursue the endorsement. These individuals include: Early Childhood Educators, PreK-5th Grade Classroom Educators, K-12 Reading Specialists and Coaches, K-12 Special Education Educators, K-12 English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Educators, and K-12 Bilingual and Dual language Educators.

RIC’s Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement is a three-course sequence. Classes are completed in one summer with READ 534 and SPED 546 running Summer I and READ 629 running Summer 2.

• READ 534 Foundations in Literacy (3 cr; online) Included is a survey of phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing definitions and instruction. Foundational terminology/understanding such as “orthographic mapping,” “scientific literacy,” and “structured literacy” are addressed.
• SPED 546 Dyslexia in Schools: Assessment and Identification (3 cr.; online or hybrid) Principles and procedures of effective assessment for the screening, identification and intervention of students with dyslexia are addressed.
• READ 629: Literacy Practicum for Assessment and Intervention (6 cr; face-to-face) Emphasis is on the assessment of and intervention for dyslexia and reading difficulties. Students apply knowledge of assessment, data analysis, and literacy intervention in a six-week summer reading clinic.

In-service teachers (across grade levels and content areas) are encouraged to pursue Reading Specialist/Consultant certification, which has an in-depth focus on equity-based literacy theory and practice. Courses for Reading Specialist/Consultant Certification will prepare teachers for assignment as a Reading Specialist/Consultant in grades PK-12 in RI public schools.

In addition to the coursework in the M.Ed. in Reading program, RIDE requires candidates hold any full RI teaching certificate, have 3 years teaching experience, and have an advanced degree from a regionally accredited institution. (RIC is regionally accredited, so completion of the M.Ed. in Reading program meets this requirement).

The M.Ed. in Reading and certificate is an eleven-course sequence. The pathway to an M.Ed. in Reading and Reading/Literacy Certification includes the following courses:

• READ 534 Foundations in Literacy (3)
• SPED 546 Dyslexia in Schools: Assessment and Identification (3)
• READ 629 Literacy Practicum for Assessment and Intervention (6)
• ELED 510 Research Methods, Analysis, and Application (3)
• FNED 502 Social Issues in Education (3)
• READ 501 Reading in the Content Areas (3)
• TESL 507 Teaching Reading and Writing to English-as-a-Second-Language Students (3)
• READ 630 Literacy and the Community (2)
• READ 667 Literacy Coaching and the Administration of Reading Programs (4)
• READ 687 Urban Literacies (3)
• READ 688 Reading Instruction in the Digital Era (3)

Candidates must also pass the Reading PRAXIS.

Applications will be due May 1st for the Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement (to meet Right to Read Act proficiency requirements). Applications are completed online via CollegeNet. Required materials include:

1. Personal Statement related to interest in the program.
2. Official transcript(s): undergraduate and/or graduate as applicable.
3. A bachelor’s degree.
4. One Letter of Recommendation.

Note: To continue on to the M.Ed.in Reading Program, candidates must submit an additional Reference Form with Recommendation and a Letter of Intent to satisfy the admission requirements of the M.Ed. program by August 15th.

Applications are due May 1st. One either applies for the M.Ed. in Reading Program which incorporates the Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement pathway, or the Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement only pathway with the option to apply to the M.Ed. in Reading towards the end of the course sequence. Required materials include:

1. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records.
2. A bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00
3. Scale in all undergraduate coursework. Applicants with undergraduate GPAs less than 3.00 may be admitted to degree candidacy upon submission of other evidence of academic potential.
4. A teaching certificate.
5. Two letters of recommendation.
6. A Professional Goals Essay.

Applications are completed online via this link: https://www.applyweb.com/ricg/.

The Literacy/Dyslexia endorsement is 12 credits. The current fee for the program is $3,480 (12 summer credits at $290 per credit). The M.Ed. in Reading is 36 credits. Please see RIC’s website for current per-credit tuition rates.

Proposed start date Summer 2022. Courses in the Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement will be offered in the summer. Educators can complete the endorsement by taking two courses in Summer Session 1 and one course in Summer Session 2.

Summer 1 (READ 534 and SPED 546): Summer Session 1 runs for 6 weeks, roughly mid May to late June. Classes will meet synchronously online twice a week for 3 hours per session. Students are expected to work with an elementary or middle school-aged student outside of the class sessions, applying knowledge and skills related to foundations, assessment, and evidence-based interventions.

Summer 2 (READ 629): Summer Session 2 runs for 6 weeks, roughly late June to early August. This class will meet Monday through Thursday from 8am-12pm at a partnership school. Two hours of each session will be dedicated to practicum which will take the form of a literacy clinic serving elementary and middle school-aged students (initially grades 1-5 and expanding through grade 8 in the future).