Curriculum & Courses for MA as a Literacy Specialist and Coach

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the role of literacy coaching and educational literacy leadership. Candidates will learn how to foster organizational change to promote a wide array of improvements, aiming to enhance the overall quality and effectiveness of their organization's literacy instruction. In this course, we will study the principles of adult learning theory, and how these principles support professional development in literacy education. Candidates will examine strategies for creating collaborative and culturally responsive learning communities that provide equitable access to literacy for all students. Key topics include identifying and reflecting on research-aligned reading research and practices and sharing them with various educational stakeholders. This course emphasizes effective literacy coaching practices and empowering participants to support teachers in implementing data-driven literacy instruction while promoting professional growth and systemic change within educational organizations.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of intensive interventions for students experiencing significant reading and writing difficulties, including dyslexia, reading comprehension disorder (RCD), dysgraphia, and other literacy challenges. The course examines various literacy difficulties, such as phonological deficits, reading fluency issues, and mixed-type difficulties. Students will develop an understanding of various psychological tests related to literacy as well as the latest research on Tier 3 intervention strategies. Emphasis is placed on individualized instruction tailored to the needs of students with complex literacy challenges. The course also includes best practices for data-driven coaching, effective communication of student progress, and collaborative strategies for engaging stakeholders in the intervention process. Through case studies, practical applications, and discussions, students will learn to implement evidence-based interventions and advocate for students with severe reading and writing difficulties.

This graduate-level course offers an in-depth exploration of phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency concepts and instruction, designed to equip educators with advanced knowledge and skills to effectively support literacy development in learners of all ages and abilities. Building upon foundational understanding, participants will engage with current research in literacy to inform instructional practices. Emphasis will be placed on examining the developmental progression of phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency skills in children and how this informs instructional decision-making. Participants will explore the interplay between phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency, considering their significance in the broader context of literacy acquisition. Through a combination of readings, discussions, case studies, and hands-on activities, participants will develop the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to design and implement effective phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency instruction tailored to the needs of different types of learners as part of a comprehensive literacy program.

Building upon the knowledge acquired in the prerequisite course, this course equips educators with a comprehensive toolkit of research-aligned interventions to support students who require additional support in phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring teachers can effectively differentiate instruction to meet the various needs of learners across the literacy continuum. Participants will apply research-aligned instructional practices in phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency, with a specific focus on intervention strategies tailored to address the needs of students with various learning difficulties. Key components of the course include the application of research-aligned intervention and differentiation strategies for the identified literacy components, data-based decision-making, and assessment/progress monitoring principles.

This graduate-level course offers an in-depth exploration of vocabulary and comprehension concepts and instruction, designed to equip educators with advanced knowledge and skills to effectively support literacy development in learners of all ages and abilities. Building upon foundational understanding, participants will engage with current research in literacy to inform instructional practices. Emphasis will be placed on examining the developmental progression of vocabulary and comprehension skills in children and how this informs instructional decision-making. Participants will explore the interplay between vocabulary and comprehension, considering their significance in the broader context of literacy acquisition. Through a combination of readings, discussions, case studies, and hands-on activities, participants will develop the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to design and implement effective vocabulary and comprehension instruction tailored to the needs of learners of all ages and abilities as part of a comprehensive literacy program.

This graduate-level course builds upon the foundational knowledge established in the previous course, delving deeper into vocabulary and comprehension concepts essential for supporting literacy development across all ages and abilities. Participants will explore the latest research in vocabulary and comprehension development, including neurological and cognitive factors influencing reading skills, as well as the complexities of reading difficulties and differences. By integrating this advanced knowledge with previously acquired skills in reading development, educators will be equipped with advanced strategies to improve student outcomes. Emphasis will also be placed on progress monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and addressing individual student needs. Practical coaching experiences will be integrated into both elementary and middle/high school settings.

This graduate-level course offers an in-depth exploration of writing concepts and instruction, designed to equip educators with advanced knowledge and skills to effectively support literacy development in learners of all ages and abilities. Building upon foundational understanding, participants will engage with current research in literacy to inform instructional practices. Emphasis will be placed on examining the developmental progression of writing skills in children and how this informs instructional decision-making. Participants will explore the reciprocal nature of reading and writing, considering the significance of that relationship in the broader context of literacy acquisition. Through a combination of readings, discussions, case studies, and hands-on activities, participants will develop the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to design and implement effective writing instruction tailored to the needs of various types of learners as part of a comprehensive literacy program.

This graduate-level course builds upon the foundational principles explored in the previous writing course, providing educators with advanced strategies and methodologies for effective writing instruction and assessment. Participants will deepen their understanding of writing concepts by examining theoretical foundations, instructional strategies, and assessment practices critical to supporting literacy development across various learner populations, as well as the complexities of writing difficulties and differences. By integrating this advanced knowledge with previously acquired skills in writing development, educators will be equipped with advanced strategies to improve student outcomes. Emphasis will also be placed on progress monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and addressing individual student needs through equitable practices. Practical coaching experiences will be integrated into both elementary and middle/high school settings.

This course focuses on the design and planning of action research in educational settings. Students will explore the theoretical foundations and principles of action research, learning how to identify actionable problems, formulate research questions, and develop a research plan tailored to their educational context. Emphasis will be placed on ethical considerations, appropriate qualitative and quantitative approaches to evaluate the impact of instruction and/or intervention strategies to address an identified problem, and the creation of a structured research proposal. By the end of the course, students will have developed a comprehensive action research project plan, ready for implementation in a real-world educational environment.

This course focuses on the design and planning of action research in educational settings. Students will explore the theoretical foundations and principles of action research, learning how to identify actionable problems, formulate research questions, and develop a research plan tailored to their educational context. Emphasis will be placed on ethical considerations, appropriate qualitative and quantitative approaches to evaluate the impact of instruction and/or intervention strategies to address an identified problem, and the creation of a structured research proposal. By the end of the course, students will have developed a comprehensive action research project plan, ready for implementation in a real-world educational environment.