About the Reading Instruction Program
Program standards for the Reading Certificate (now referred to as Reading and Literacy Added Authorization under the new standards) have been adopted by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
The Reading and Literacy Added Authorization prepares teachers in reading and literacy using a solid curriculum that expands their basic assumptions and knowledge of reading foundations, reading assessment, reading research, reading intervention, reading strategies and the design of effective literacy models.
Building literate classrooms across subject matters and preparing students to become fluent, independent readers has become a major emphasis in all school districts. This program is designed to help credential teachers meet local, state, and federal requirements. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing serves at the approving agency in the State of California.
The Reading and Literacy Added Authorization program is geared towards teachers with the potential to become leaders and mentors in the area of reading. It will provide educators with the right tools to improve student achievement.
Reading and Literacy Added Authorization
(1) provide student assessment in reading, and student instruction that is responsive to the assessments;
(2) develop, implement and adapt reading instruction, and assist teachers with respect to the prevention and intervention of reading difficulties; and
(3) may perform those services at one or more school sites at the grade levels authorized by their prerequisite teaching credential.
Industry Certification
Reading Instruction
Required Courses
all six courses are required
Required for CTC Added Authorization
additional course required for CTC Reading and Literacy Added Authorization candidates
Conditions for Admission
A completed application must be on file before enrolling in the courses. To request a program application, please contact the Education Department directly by phone at (858) 534-9286 or email unexeduc@ucsd.edu Although most students finish the program within one-to-two years, in order to be eligible for a certificate from UC San Diego Extension and a CCTC Reading and Literacy Added Authorization, all required coursework must be completed within five years of being admitted to the current program.
Certificate Guidelines
Connect your classroom education with real-world experiences through a Next Steps Experience course. These courses allow students to gain hands-on experience by working closely with instructors and/or peers on real-world projects.
Enrich your understanding of Reading Instruction and explore topics such as student assessment and instruction in reading; develop, implement, and adapt reading instruction; assist teachers to respect the prevention and intervention of reading difficulties; and perform those services at one or more school site at a variety of grade levels throughout the program.
Candidates are also encouraged to take the Next Step by enrolling in the Reading and Literacy Portfolio where they develop their portfolio demonstrating the application of the skills and abilities learned throughout the program. The Reading and Literacy Portfolio is a course that captures learning and field experiences from each of the courses and connects them together in a cohesive manner. During the application process, a prospective candidate should consider possible reading pupils from his or her current company, employer, or volunteer organization; to work with during the program allowing the candidate to apply learned skills and demonstrate results in delivering reading instruction.
State Board Requirements
This program is aligned with the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization requirements and standards established by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). All required courses are CCTC approved; therefore once admitted candidates complete the program, they will be eligible to earn an official Reading and Literacy Added Authorization from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. All candidates must successfully maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better and receive a grade of “C” or higher to be eligible for the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization.
Industry Requirements
If you do not meet the requirements for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) Added Authorization you may still earn a Reading Instruction Professional Certificate from UCSD Extension.
Special Notes
Request to Recommend
Formal Recommendations to CCTC
Upon completion of the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization, a UCSD Extension credentials analyst will submit a formal recommendation to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Details on the process are covered in the Portfolio class.
Only participants who have finalized their admission to the program and completed the entire Reading and Literacy Added Authorization program are eligible for formal recommendation.
- A completed Credentialing Recommend Request form.
- Official transcript(s) verifying completion of all coursework.
- (This includes any coursework completed at UCSD Extension.)
- Candidates will be required to submit a processing fee directly to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing upon recommendation for the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization program.
- (This fee must be submitted through the Commission’s online recommendation system and can be made by credit card only.)
Advisory Board
Morgan Appel
Cheryl Forbes
Chris Halter
Harriet Levine
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