The literacy concentration draws upon the Woodring College of Education's faculty expertise in language and literacy development, assessment, children's and young adult literature, curriculum development, and multicultural education. The concentration will enhance elementary and middle school classroom teachers' knowledge and skills in literacy learning and teaching. The carefully sequenced courses and field-based projects will foster collaboration and collegiality among the participating students and the elementary education faculty. For certified teachers who successfully complete the course sequence, this program fulfills the requirements for a supporting Reading Endorsement. The 48 credits of coursework will culminate with a comprehensive educational foundations examination.
Early application is encouraged.
A statement of purpose for seeking the M. Ed., not to exceed one page. Examines current theory, research, and practice in classroom-based literacy assessment and evaluation. Teaching activities designed to foster continuing development of literacy, in part through stressing interrelationships between the various forms of language. Exploration of current theories in language acquisition, linguistics, and psycholinguistics. Implications for early childhood education and literacy instruction.