What can I do with a Reading Specialist Master’s degree?

‍Reading specialists typically work in schools but may also serve as tutors in schools, libraries, community centers and in private settings. In some schools, reading specialists are called on to help develop reading curricula and coordinate various reading and literacy programs. On a community level, the reading specialist may be involved in adult literacy or teach English as a Second Language. Other possible job titles include literacy coach, reading coach and reading intervention specialist.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of and apply major theoretical, conceptual, historical and culturally and linguistically relevant evidence-based foundations of literacy (including components of reading, writing development, writing processes and foundational skills) and language (including language acquisition, structure of language, conventions of standard English, vocabulary acquisition and use, speaking, listening, viewing, visually representing) along with an understanding of how to integrate the new literacies and digital learning to influence literacy development across the grades and in the academic disciplines to effectively teach diverse learners
2. Use foundational knowledge to select, design, critique, adapt, evaluate and implement evidence-based literacy curricula, instructional strategies, supplemental and intervention approaches and programs (components of a comprehensive, aligned, and integrated literacy curriculum) that are responsive to social, cultural, cognitive and linguistic diversity to meet the needs of all learners in various settings, especially those who experience difficulty with literacy
3. Select, utilize, analyze and interpret a variety of valid, reliable, fair and appropriate assessments aligned with current research to screen, diagnose and comprehensively monitor and measure the literacy achievement of diverse learners across multiple field-based experiences to implement data-driven and evidence-based literacy instruction and interventions
4. Engage in multiple field-based experiences in which they work with individual and small groups of students and coach peers and experienced colleagues at various grade levels as they assess students’ literacy achievement, develop literacy intervention plans, implement instructional practices, create supportive literacy learning environments and assess impact on student learning through data- and evidence-based instructional strategies designed to meet the developmental needs of diverse learners