Reading Specialist - Dyslexia Focus

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Reading Specialist Dyslexia Focus Program

This 25-credit hour endorsement area provides extensive practice in teaching methods supported by research or evidence-based instruction. The training is explicit, systematic, cumulative, and multisensory, meaning that it integrates listening, speaking, reading and writing. The curriculum emphasizes the integrated structure of written and spoken language, including the speech sound system (phonology), letter-sound associations (orthography), meaningful parts of words (morphology), the meaning of words and phrases (semantics), the structure of sentences (syntax), and comprehension of written text.  The program includes:

  1. Six, 3-credit graduate level courses with field experiences
  2. A six-week summer clinical practicum in reading and writing (mid-June to mid-July)
  3. A nine-month internship

Those who successfully complete this endorsement program are knowledgeable about and able to articulate the  methods, issues, and resources involved in support of student instruction for dyslexia. Students are prepared to provide professional guidance and expertise related to dyslexia to schools and districts, serve as reading coaches or in-class consultants for classroom teachers, and provide in-service workshops for district personnel.

 

Admissions

Application Process

  • Schedule an admissions and information interview with Dr. Elaine Cheesman of the Special Education department. The goal of this appointment is to perform a professional interview, a brief skill assessment, an on-site writing sample, clarification of the procedures for admission to the program, and to determine your level of interest in and preparation for the program. Call 719-255-4996 or education@uccs.edu to set up the appointment with Dr. Cheesman.  Licensed teachers with at least two years teaching experience are eligible to apply to the program.

    • Courses

    Core (18 credits)

    *courses are offered in the evening hours to accomodate the working professional.  Online and distance learning are alternative options.

    Course # &  TitleSemester Credits
    SPED 5001 - Introduction to Special Education
    		 3
    SPED 5010 - Multisensory Structured Language Education I
    		 3
    SPED 5012 - Differentiated Instruction (Multisensory Structured Language Education II)
    		 3
    SPED 5011 - Assessment and Instructional Monitoring
    		 3
    CURR 5410 -Informal Diagnosis and/Remediation of Reading
    		 3
    CURR 5713 -Language and Linguistics
    		 3

    Practicum and Internship (7 credits)

    *Prerequisite for Practicum/Internship experiences:Successful completion of preliminary coursework at a B (82%) or better.

    Course # &  TitleSemester Credits
    SPED 5113 -Multisensory Reading and Writing Summer Practicum
    		 4
    SPED 5114 -Multisensory Reading Internship-Fall Semester
    		1
    SPED 5115 -Multisensory Reading Internship-Spring Semester
    		2

    The summer clinical practicum is conducted by the HillSprings Learning Center, a non-profit school for students with learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalulia), and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The nine-month internship may be competed in one's current teaching assignment.


    In 2012, The International Dyslexia Association awarded this program with the highest category recognition stating: "Teachers who complete this program will know the expectations of identifying and remediating students who struggle learning to read and students who are behind in their reading level."-International Dyslexia Association, 2012