Program Coordinator: Dr. Susan Thompson
The Lynchburg College Master's of Education in Reading Program leading to a reading specialist endorsement is designed for the intensive preparation of educators who are committed to excellence in the teaching of reading and/or serving as reading specialists at the school or district level. The program is based on the belief that in a rapidly changing society, literacy holds the key to success in the personal, professional, and civic lives of our children.
The focus of this program is the preparation of professionals for the position of reading specialist as experts in the classroom, specialized professionals working with students in small groups to improve literacy skills, and as school-wide or district-wide supervisors of reading teachers and reading programs. Participants will take coursework in assessment of reading problems, explicit reading and literature instruction, writing, technology, and research methodology. Students will also participate in six hours of practicum experience, tutoring with school-age students who have difficulty reading.
Students will develop:
- Expertise in the use of diagnostic, assessment, and screening measures to plan for and tailor reading instruction, as well as to accelerate and remediate using flexible skill-level groupings as necessary.
- Expertise in the knowledge, skills, and processes necessary for understanding language acquisition, differences, and delays; teaching oral language (including speaking and listening); developing students’ phonemic awareness/phonological association skills; exercising effective strategies for facilitating the learning of standard English by speakers of other languages and dialect.
- Expertise in reading-comprehension strategies which foster an appreciation of a variety of literature, both fiction and nonfiction, at appropriate reading levels
- Expertise in the knowledge, skills, and processes necessary for teaching writing, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, etc., as well as the ability to promote creative thinking and expression through imaginative writing.
- The ability to guide students in their use of technology for both process and product as they work with reading, writing, and research.
- An understanding of child psychology, including personality and learning behaviors; of the significance of cultural contexts upon language; of educational measurement and evaluation; and of utilizing linguistic skills in diagnoses.
- The ability to instruct and advise teachers in the skills necessary to differentiate reading instruction for both low- and high-achieving readers; and to organize and supervise the reading program within the classroom, school, or division.
- Effective communication for a variety of students and groups, including parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders, etc. relating to reading instruction and the challenges faced for struggling readers.
- Knowledge of current research and exemplary practices in reading.