N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:9B-14.13

Current through Register Vol. 57, No. 1, January 6, 2025

Section 6A:9B-14.13 - Reading specialist

(a) The reading specialist endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a reading specialist in preschool through grade 12. A reading specialist conducts in-service training of teachers and administrators; coordinates instruction for students or groups of students having difficulty learning to read; diagnoses the nature and cause of a student's difficulty in learning to read; plans developmental programs in reading for all students; recommends methods and materials to be used in the school district reading program; and contributes to the collection of standardized data as a means of determining and monitoring the reading achievement of students.

(b) A candidate applying for this endorsement on or before August 31, 2025, shall have completed a master's degree from an accredited college or university, two years of successful teaching experience, and one of the following:

1. A Department-approved graduate-degree program in reading; or

2. A program of graduate studies of 30 semester-hour credits consisting of the following:

i. Reading foundations;

ii. Diagnosis of reading problems;

iii. Correction of reading problems;

iv. Supervised practicum in reading; and

v. Study in at least three of the following areas: children's or adolescent literature; measurement; organization of reading programs; psychology; staff supervision; linguistics; special education; research; and foundations of education.

(c) A candidate applying for this endorsement on or after September 1, 2025, shall have completed a master's degree from an accredited college or university, three years of successful teaching experience, and one of the following:

1. A Department-approved graduate-degree program in reading with a program of study that consists of the following topics or a program of graduate studies of 30 semester-hour credits consisting of the following topics:

i. Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;

ii. Diagnosis and correction of reading problems, including a supervised clinical experience of at least 30 hours;

iii. Supervised clinical internship in reading that focuses on the implementation of schoolwide literacy leadership, coaching/professional development, and the diagnosis, planning, and correction of reading problems in a supplemental/in-class setting;

iv. Advanced study of children's or adolescent literature with a focus on integration of diverse, multilingual, and/or multicultural text;

v. Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies to improve the teaching of literacy;

vi. Strategies for remediation of writing for learners;

vii. Advance study of integrating literacy strategies across content areas;

viii. Remediation and foundational reading strategies for adolescents readers; and

ix. Advanced study of literacy strategies for supporting students with varying abilities and multilingual learners; or

2. Hold a master's degree in literacy, reading, or another related field from an accredited college or university and have completed courses that cover the areas listed at (c)1 above, as indicated on a transcript.

(d) An emergency certificate may be issued to a candidate applying for the emergency certificate on or before August 31, 2025, who has obtained the following:

1. A master's degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Two years of successful teaching experience; and

3. Completion of 12 graduate credits in the areas listed at (b)2 above.

(e) An emergency certificate may be issued to a candidate applying for the emergency endorsement on or after September 1, 2025, who has obtained the following:

1. A master's degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Three years of successful teaching experience; and

3. Completion of 12 graduate credits in the areas listed at (c)1 above and enrollment in continuing education to meet the remaining requirements listed at (c)1 above.

N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:9B-14.13

Amended and recodified from 6A:9B-12.13 by 47 N.J.R. 2989(a), effective 12/7/2015

Amended by 55 N.J.R. 853(a), effective 5/1/2023