The Department of Teaching, Leadership and Curriculum Studies offers the Master's Program in Reading Specialization. The program develops practical and professional knowledge that is essential for educators concerned with the improvement of literacy at all instructional levels.
Students study the nature of the reading process; the interrelationships between language, literature, and literacy; literacy learning and teaching; the nature and needs of students who find reading difficult; reading as a vehicle for learning and enjoyment; and the role of research in reading.
Reading Specialization Program prepares educators to:
- Teach students in classroom learning contexts, including reading in the content areas (grades K through adult);
Example: A third grade teacher or a high school content area teacher wants to become more knowledgeable and skilled in the teaching of literacy.
- Teach students who have difficulties with reading (grades K through adult); Reading Endorsement can be attained as part of the core requirements of the Master’s program.
Example: A teacher spends the majority of time working with students, usually in small groups or individually, who have difficulties in reading.
Admission to Reading Specialization Program
Complete the Graduate School of Education application for admission to the Reading Specialization Program or the Request for Change of Degree or Major (if already admitted to another program within this College).
Application should be completed two months before the beginning of coursework. Applications are available from the Office of Graduate Student Services, 418 White Hall, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242 (330-672-2576) or online at http://www.ehhs.kent.edu/ogs/applynow (follow links for students, graduate students, application for graduate school, education, and Reading Specialization).
Students already possessing a Master’s degree may wish to specialize in literacy education either through the Ph.D. program or, in some cases, through a non-degree reading course sequence.
These students may request information materials and advisement from the Reading and Writing Center, 402 White Hall (330-672-2836) (Email: kbrother@kent.edu).
READING ENDORSEMENT
The Ohio Department of Education requires candidates for the Reading Endorsement to take the "Introduction to the Teaching of Reading" specialty area test of the Praxis II examination. A summary of information about the exam is provided below. More detailed information, including dates, times, places, and fees for taking the exam is available at www.ets.org/praxis. You may also sign up for the exam on that site. If you have any questions, you may contact the Vacca Office of Student Services, 304 White Hall (330-672-2862; oss@kent.edu).
Students must register for the exam about four weeks beforehand (see the website for registration and fees information).
- The test is administered several times each year at KSU and several other sites in NE Ohio. Administration time is 2 hours.
- The Educational Testing Services (ETS) describes the "Introduction to the Teaching of Reading" specialty area test as follows: The "Introduction to the Teaching of Reading" test is intended for examinees who have typically completed a bachelor's degree program in elementary or secondary education that included a program of 3 to 4 semester hours on the teaching of reading. The 100 multiple-choice questions cover knowledge about the teaching of reading that is common to all grade levels and content areas. The test includes content in reading as a language-thought process, text structure, instructional processes, affective aspects, and environmental/sociocultural factors.
- KSU cannot process a request for the Reading Endorsement without test scores.
- Forms and instruction sheets for applying for the Reading Endorsement are distributed in the Clinical Practicum in Corrective Reading (C&I 6/77323).
READING ENDORSEMENT COURSES
C&I 6/77310 - Theory & Practice in Teaching Reading
C&I 6/77319 - Diagnosis & Remediation of Reading Difficulties
C&I 6/77330 - Reading in the Content Areas
C&I 6/77323 - Clinical Practicum in Corrective Reading
In addition, those whose previous coursework does not include a phonics course must take MCED 50005: Effective Use of Phonics in Reading.
Master's students must meet with their advisors to determine whether the course is necessary. Special non-degree students should contact Dr. Nancy Padak (npadak@literacy.kent.edu or 330-672-0648) to determine if the course is necessary.
