Title 14 Education
1500 Professional Standards Board
Professional Standards Board (Licensure, Certification and Professional Development)
1581 School Reading Specialist
1.0 Content
1.1 This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for School Reading Specialist. This certification is required for all School Reading Specialists in Delaware public schools.
1.2 Except as otherwise provided, the requirements set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate, including any subsequent amendment or revision thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.
16 DE Reg. 770 (01/01/13)
2.0 Definitions
2.1 The definitions set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate, including any subsequent amendment or revision thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.
2.2 The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Reading Specialist” means an educator whose responsibility is to improve reading achievement in their assigned school or district position. A Reading Specialist provides one-on-one or small group, diagnostic teaching of reading. Responsibilities may include coaching and leading school reading programs. Reading Specialists’ assignments may include Title I reading teachers, reading resource teachers and educators who work with teachers in reading and communication skills, including, but not limited to literacy coaches and coordinators, and individuals employed as building or district coordinators of reading or in Reading Cadre positions. Reading Specialists may also serve as a resource in reading and writing for educational support personnel, administrators, teachers, and the community, provide professional development based on historical and current literature and research, work collaboratively with other professionals to build and implement reading programs for individuals and groups of students, and serve as advocates for students who struggle with reading.
16 DE Reg. 770 (01/01/13)
3.0 Standard Certificate
3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as a School Reading Specialist to an educator who has met the following:
3.1.1 Holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or a Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003; and,
3.1.2 Has met the requirements as set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate, including any subsequent amendment or revision thereto; and,
3.1.3 Has satisfied the additional requirements in this regulation.
16 DE Reg. 770 (01/01/13)
4.0 Additional Requirements
An educator must also have met the following additional requirements:
4.1 Education requirements:
4.1.1 An educator shall also have satisfied at least one (1) of the following additional education requirements:
4.1.1.1 A Master's degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university in Reading offered by an NCATE specialty organization recognized educator preparation program or state approved educator preparation program where the state approval body employed the appropriate NASDTEC or NCATE specialty organization standards; or
4.1.1.2 Completion of either a Bachelor's degree plus (30) graduate level credit hours or a Master’s degree, from a regionally accredited college or university in any content area; and
4.1.1.2.1 The successful completion of twenty-four (24) graduate level credit hours in the following content areas:
4.1.1.2.1.1 Assessment and Instruction in Writing (3 credits);
4.1.1.2.1.2 Assessment and Instruction in Reading (6 credits);
4.1.1.2.1.3 Practicum in Reading to include application of strategies in assessment, instruction and parent involvement (6 credits);
4.1.1.2.1.4 Literacy in the Content Areas (3 credits);
4.1.1.2.1.5 Teaching English as a Second Language (3 credits); and either
4.1.1.2.1.6 Literacy Acquisition (3 credits); or
4.1.1.2.1.7 Coaching Adult Learners (3 credits).
4.2 Experience requirements:
4.2.1 An educator must have a minimum of three (3) years of teaching experience.
7 DE Reg. 775 (12/01/03)
8 DE Reg. 899 (12/01/04)
10 DE Reg. 100 (7/1/06)
Renumbered effective 6/1/07 - see Conversion Table
16 DE Reg. 770 (01/01/13)