塞基诺州立大学

Literacy is critical to all of our lives. The need for qualified reading specialists is urgent. This is why SVSU designed its MAT Literacy program for those looking to make an impact now-in their schools, their districts and their communities. All of our courses integrate theory with real-world application, allowing you to deepen your understanding of research and best practices, while simultaneously implementing these practices in your classroom and school. There are no hypotheticals here- you will be empowered to use what you have learned in your courses to solve challenges and impact students’ lives in real time. If you are ready to answer the call, to help end the literacy crisis, SVSU is ready for you.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Literacy Specialist program is designed for elementary or middle/secondary candidates who have initial certification and want to become more effective teachers of literacy in their own classrooms or who aspire to a position as a Literacy/Reading Specialist. To be certified as a K-12 Reading Specialist in Michigan a candidate must complete a master’s degree in a state-approved preparation program and successfully pass the MTTC (Michigan Test for Teacher Certification) for Reading Specialists. SVSU’s program is state-approved.

Reading program goals/objectives are set by the Michigan Department of Education and the International Reading Association (IRA). The IRA is the accrediting body for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation process, and those standards are used for program evaluation. The IRA has 21 standards, arranged into six goal areas:

1) Foundational Knowledge

2) Curriculum and Instruction

3) Assessment and Evaluation

4) Diversity

5) Literate Environment

6) Professional Learning and Leadership

The state and professional standards are aligned with the 2013 SVSU College of Education Conceptual Framework. The new Conceptual Framework presents the goal of the College of Education as fostering educators who demonstrate “dynamic and continuous learning” --educators who are focused on growth in personal, academic, and professional areas and leadership in respecting diversity and impacting student achievement; educators who form partnerships and serve as resource providers locally, regionally, and globally. The International Reading Association national recognition program stresses the need for literacy leaders who are continually learning, who have research-based learning strategies that can positively impact student achievement, and who demonstrate leadership in their school and school district, providing resources to foster successful learning for teachers as well as students.