Standard 4 Creating a Literate Environment

Candidates create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, use of instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessments.

TExES Reading Specialist Competencies

Competency 001 (Oral Language) The reading specialist understands and applies knowledge of oral language development, relationships between oral language development and the development of reading skills, and instructional methods that promote students' oral language development at the levels of early childhood through grade 12.

Competency 006 (Comprehension) The reading specialist understands and applies knowledge of reading comprehension and instructional methods that promote students' reading comprehension at the levels of early childhood through grade 12.

Competency 007 (Vocabulary Development) The reading specialist understands and applies knowledge of vocabulary development and instructional methods that promote students' oral and written vocabulary knowledge at the levels of early childhood through grade 12.

Competency 008 (Written Language) The reading specialist understands and applies knowledge of written language and instructional methods to reinforce reading and writing at the levels of early childhood through grade 12.

Competency 013 (Theoretical Foundations and Research-Based Curriculum)The reading specialist understands and applies knowledge of the theoretical foundations of literacy and of research-based reading/literacy curriculum.

I demonstrated my understand of foundational knowledge in telling how creative drama can be used to develop reading, writing, and listening skills—especially as these relate to ora language, comprehension, vocabulary, and written language. I used research as the basis of my assertions.

IRA /NCATE Program Standards for Reading Specialist

Standard 2 Instructional Strategies & Curriculum Materials

Candidates use a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods, and curriculum materials to support reading and writing instruction.

TExES Reading Specialist Competencies

Competency 010 (Instructional Methods and Resources) The reading specialist understands and applies knowledge of methods and resources for providing effective literacy instruction that addresses the varied learning needs of all students at the levels of early childhood through grade 12.

Competency 011 (Instruction for English Language Learners) The reading specialist understands and applies knowledge of effective literacy instruction for English Language Learners at the levels of early childhood through grade 12.

Competency 012 (Instruction for Students with Reading Difficulties, Dyslexia, and Reading Disabilities) The reading specialist understands and applies knowledge of effective literacy instruction for students with reading difficulties, dyslexia, and reading disabilities at the levels of early childhood through grade 12.

I demonstrated my knowledge of the use of instructional strategies and resources with all students by telling about how creative drama can be used to enhance literacy skills for all students including English language learners and gave a website for an activity for students with disabilities.

IRA /NCATE Program Standards for Reading Specialist

Standard 5 Professional Development

Candidates view professional development as a career-long effort and responsibility.

TExES Reading Specialist Competencies

Competency 014 (Collaboration, Communication, and Professional Development) The reading specialist understands and applies procedures for collaborating and communicating with educational stakeholders and for designing, implementing, evaluating, and participating in professional development.

This website is a part of a collaboration with other educators as a part of a professional development course.