Reading

Master of Education

About This Program | Program Requirements | Admission

About This Program

The Division of Education at Wilmington University reserves the right to change requirements to comply with any licensure/certification mandates by the Delaware State Department of Education.

Program Purpose

The Master of Education in Reading prepares teachers for a reading specialist role. 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

1. Demonstrate knowledge of theories of reading development, individual differences, the nature of reading difficulties, and principles of assessment.
2. Create learning environments to successfully implement a variety of strategies and techniques to teach word identification, phonemic awareness, letter-sound correspondence, fluency, vocabulary skills, strategies for comprehension and the construction of meaning, and study strategies.
3. Provide literacy services to K-12 students in developmental, compensatory, or special education programs.
4. Provide instructional guidance to paraprofessionals and teachers in the use of reading materials and technology.
5. Assess student performance and progress and communicate assessment results using formal and informal assessment instruments.
6. Communicate information about reading to various groups and communities.
7. Develop literacy curricula.
8. Participate in research of literacy.
9. Collaborate with and mentor literacy practitioners.
10. Engage in and plan professional development.

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. The Knowledge of Reading Test (KRT) must be taken after completion of five core courses prior to MRD 7950, Seminar in Reading Research. Other assessment measures include the observation of application of knowledge in practical settings and alumni surveys that query such items as preparation levels for careers, preparation for passage of PRAXIS II, and life-long learning activities.

Program Design

The Master of Education in Reading program was designed to meet four sets of professional standards: Delaware Professional Teaching Standards (DPTS), National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC), National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and International Reading Association (IRA). Students who complete the program are eligible for a State of Delaware Certificate as a Reading Specialist.

When compared to other current graduate programs in reading, three unique features are evident. First, the reading practicum is six (6) credits and must be completed over the length of a full semester. This practicum is in addition to another course in diagnosis and remediation which many institutions view as a practicum experience. A second difference is in the presentation of diagnosis, assessment and correction as one six credit course. This allows students to see the complete process with the same individual and small groups of children. Most institutions offer two separate three credit courses. The third, and most unique requirement is the inclusion of field experience in content area classrooms in a combined study of strategies and application of those strategies. Many programs have a content area reading course, but not one that requires field experience in content area classrooms.

Students in this program are required to collaborate and partner with teachers, administrators, specialists, and parents in assessment of reading, instruction in reading, designing reading programs, and conducting research in reading. Students, then, develop partnerships with a wide network of parties to support reading achievement in the school, home, and community as learning environments.

This program is designed to serve students with several career options:

• 15 credits for certificate of advanced study in reading
• 15 or 18 course credits for a cluster of graduate study in reading
• 35 credits required for the master's degree, receiving a passing score of at least 560 on the PRAXIS II Reading Specialist test, a guaranteed Reading Specialist certificate in the state of Delaware through completion of the approved program
• Add 12 credits beyond the master's degree to qualify for a State of Delaware certificate as a Supervisor of Reading (experience also required)

Qualifications for a Degree

To qualify for a Master of Education in Reading, a student must complete all courses: core and clinical, for a total of 35 semester credits. The Knowledge of Reading Test (KRT), which assesses knowledge of basic reading skills, strategies and materials, must be taken after the five core courses and prior to MRD 7950, Seminar In Reading Research. The PRAXIS II Reading Specialist test (0300) must also be taken and passed using state of Delaware passing criteria 560 prior to graduation. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. The program must be completed within five years.