- Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- Academic Programs
- Reading Teacher Endorsement
Reading Teacher Endorsement
The Reading Teacher Endorsement is designed for teachers who teach reading in a setting other than a self-contained classroom. This endorsement can be obtained on an early childhood, elementary, secondary, or special certificate.
The endorsement requires 24 semester hours of credit with coursework in the following areas:
- Foundations of reading
- Content area reading
- Assessment and diagnosis of reading problems
- Developmental and remedial reading instruction and support
- Developmental and remedial materials and resources
- Literature appropriate to students across all grade ranges
- Reading practicum (at the level of your licensure band)
Candidates must s successfully pass the Reading Teacher (177) or Reading Specialist (176) test.
The endorsement is added to the existing PEL; candidate only able to be “Reading Teacher” at his/her current grade level range (e.g., elementary, middle, or high school level)
Program Goals
Deep understanding of reading and reading instruction; understands how to diagnose reading disabilities and how to teach and support the education of students with reading disabilities; participates in curriculum design and implementation; communicates and works with the public and other professionals; and has high professional standards.
Courses
The courses are 3 credits each and generally delivered in the following sequence:
Phase I. Foundations in Literacy (15 credits)
- LTRE 500—Improvement of Reading in the Elementary School
- LTRE 505—Teaching Reading in the Middle School
- LTRE 511—Content Area Reading
- LTIC 515—Bilingualism and Reading
- LTLA 543—Writing Instruction
Phase II. Diagnosis and Remediation (9 credits)
- LTRE 520—Diagnosis and Treatment of Reading Difficulties
- LTRE 530—Practicum in Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties
- LTRE 531—Practicum in Problems of Teaching Reading
For more information about the program, contact Nick Slicer at nslicer@niu.edu.
Contact Us
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Gabel Hall 147
815-753-8556
815-753-8563 (fax)
CIDepartment@niu.edu