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Recognizing outstanding teacher preparation programs
The International Reading Association is identifying distinguished teacher preparation programs.
For more information, contact: Gail Keating, Projects Manager, Research and Policy, gkeating@reading.org
Dear Colleague:
Research reports continue to show that elementary and secondary school teachers who teach reading and writing well significantly impact student achievement. The International Reading Association advocates for a major national investment in teacher preparation and professional development to ensure that every teacher is competent to teach reading to all students of various ability levels. In this effort, IRA is identifying distinguished teacher preparation programs.
Certificate of Distinction Award for the Reading Preparation of Elementary and Secondary Teachers
By establishing clear standards of excellence for programs that prepare teachers to teach reading in the classroom and by recognizing exemplary programs, IRA's Certificate of Distinction has the potential to have a major impact in the field of reading education.
The award revolves around a set of rubrics designed to help evaluate the program based on standards in six key areas, as well as specific elements and sub-elements in each area.
Standard 1: Content. The program content and pedagogy prepare candidates with knowledge and evidence-based teaching skills necessary to help all students learn to read.
Standard 2: Faculty and Teaching. Program faculty members meet IRA Standards for Reading Professionals, Revised 2003 for teacher educators and model best professional practices in scholarship, service, and teaching.
Standard 3: Apprenticeships, Field Experiences, and Practica. The reading program and its school collaborators design, implement, and evaluate apprenticeships, field experiences, and clinical practica that ensure candidates meet Standard 1. Institutions must provide evidence that their programs offer field-based and/or clinical experiences, specifically in the teaching of reading.
Standard 4: Diversity. The program designs, implements, and evaluates curricula and experiences for candidates to ensure that candidates, school collaborators, and higher education faculty work effectively with diverse candidates and diverse students in P–12 schools.
Standard 5: Candidate and Program Assessment. The program has an assessment system that documents that candidates meet Standard 1 and that the reading preparation program meets the remaining standards.
Standard 6: Governance, Resources, and Vision. The reading program has the governance, vision, and resources, including financial, personnel, technology, and facilities, to meet standards 1 through 5.
For more information about the Certificate of Distinction, its Standards and Rubrics, and Application Materials, visit IRA’s website at:
Research reports continue to show that elementary and secondary school teachers who teach reading and writing well significantly impact student achievement. The International Reading Association advocates for a major national investment in teacher preparation and professional development to ensure that every teacher is competent to teach reading to all students of various ability levels. In this effort, IRA is identifying distinguished teacher preparation programs.
Certificate of Distinction Award for the Reading Preparation of Elementary and Secondary Teachers
By establishing clear standards of excellence for programs that prepare teachers to teach reading in the classroom and by recognizing exemplary programs, IRA's Certificate of Distinction has the potential to have a major impact in the field of reading education.
The award revolves around a set of rubrics designed to help evaluate the program based on standards in six key areas, as well as specific elements and sub-elements in each area.
Standard 1: Content. The program content and pedagogy prepare candidates with knowledge and evidence-based teaching skills necessary to help all students learn to read.
Standard 2: Faculty and Teaching. Program faculty members meet IRA Standards for Reading Professionals, Revised 2003 for teacher educators and model best professional practices in scholarship, service, and teaching.
Standard 3: Apprenticeships, Field Experiences, and Practica. The reading program and its school collaborators design, implement, and evaluate apprenticeships, field experiences, and clinical practica that ensure candidates meet Standard 1. Institutions must provide evidence that their programs offer field-based and/or clinical experiences, specifically in the teaching of reading.
Standard 4: Diversity. The program designs, implements, and evaluates curricula and experiences for candidates to ensure that candidates, school collaborators, and higher education faculty work effectively with diverse candidates and diverse students in P–12 schools.
Standard 5: Candidate and Program Assessment. The program has an assessment system that documents that candidates meet Standard 1 and that the reading preparation program meets the remaining standards.
Standard 6: Governance, Resources, and Vision. The reading program has the governance, vision, and resources, including financial, personnel, technology, and facilities, to meet standards 1 through 5.
For more information about the Certificate of Distinction, its Standards and Rubrics, and Application Materials, visit IRA’s website at:
http://www.reading.org/Resources/AwardsandGrants/distinction_intro.aspx
Application Deadline: October 15, 2009
Be the First Program in Your State to Receive a Certificate of Distinction!
See a list of Distinguished Programs at the link above
