Students will gain an understanding of the developmental and diagnostic processes involved in teaching reading and the language arts and will become familiar with the resource and supervisory functions that are part of the specialist role. Prior to graduation, students must complete a reading portfolio documenting their work in the program and related work experiences and pass the Reading for Virginia Educator Assessment. The M.Ed. in Reading is an approved program (K-12) for students who meet Virginia State Department of Education requirements. The reading specialist endorsement also requires completion of three years of teaching in a reading-related field. Student learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate content knowledge in reading education: Candidates demonstrate content knowledge in reading education as evidenced by the Reading for Virginia Educators Assessment scores and philosophy of reading paper.
• Effectively plan instruction: Candidates demonstrate that they can effectively plan reading and literacy instruction or fulfill other professional responsibilities in reading education as evidenced by the organizing and implementing reading programs assessment.
• Effectively apply knowledge, skills and dispositions: Candidates demonstrate knowledge, skills and dispositions are applied effectively in practice as evidenced by the internship evaluation.
• Effect on student learning: Candidates demonstrate effects on student learning and provision of supportive learning environments for student learning as evidenced by the internship progress report.
• Candidates demonstrate IRA standards proficiency: Candidates further demonstrate proficiency on IRA competencies as evidenced by the portfolio assessment and the externship action research report and presentation assessment.