This program meets International Reading Association standards and also fulfills the standards set forth by the Maryland State Department of Education for licensure as a reading specialist.
Graduates earning a master's degree in reading specialization from Hood College:
- Understand the theoretical and evidence-based foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction through:
- Conducting empirical research that describe the cognitive, linguistic, motivational and sociocultural foundations of reading and writing development, processes and components, including word recognition, language comprehension, strategic knowledge and reading-writing connections;
- Understanding the historically shared knowledge of the profession and changes over time in the perceptions of reading and writing development, processes and components; and
- Understanding the role of professional judgment and practical knowledge for improving all students’ reading development and achievement.
- Use instructional approaches, materials, and an integrated, comprehensive, balanced curriculum to support student learning in reading and writing through:
- Designing or implementing an integrated, comprehensive, and balanced curriculum;
- Applying appropriate and varied instructional approaches, including those that develop word recognition, language comprehension, strategic knowledge, and reading–writing connections; and
- Using a wide range of texts (e.g., narrative, expository, and poetry) from traditional print, digital, and online resources.
- Use a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading and writing instruction through:
- Understanding the types of assessments and their purposes, strengths, and limitations;
- Selecting, developing, administering and interpreting assessments, both traditional print and electronic, for specific purposes;
- Incorporating assessment information to plan and evaluate instruction; and
- Communicating assessment results and implications to a variety of audiences.
- Create and engage students in literacy practices that develop awareness, understanding, respect, and a valuing of differences in our society through:
- Recognizing, understanding, and valuing the forms of diversity that exist in society and their importance in learning to read and write;
- Using a literacy curriculum and engaging in instructional practices that positively impact students’ knowledge, beliefs, and engagement with the features of diversity; and
- Developing and implementing strategies to advocate for equity.
- Create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessment through:
- Designing the physical environment to optimize students’ use of traditional print, digital and online resources in reading and writing instruction;
- Designing a social environment that is low risk and includes choice, motivation and scaffolded support to optimize students’ opportunities for learning to read and write;
- Using routines to support reading and writing instruction (e.g., time allocation, transitions from one activity to another, discussions and peer feedback); and
- Using a variety of classroom configurations (i.e., whole class, small group, and individual) to differentiate instruction.
- Recognize the importance of, demonstrate, and facilitate professional learning and leadership as a career-long effort and responsibility through:
- Demonstrating foundational knowledge of adult learning theories and related research about organizational change, professional development and school culture;
- Displaying positive dispositions related to their own reading and writing and the teaching of reading and writing, and pursue the development of individual professional knowledge and behaviors;
- Participating in, designing, facilitating, leading and evaluating effective and differentiated professional development programs; and
- Understanding and influencing local, state or national policy decisions.