Online Certificate in Reading Fundamentals

Who Should Attend

This online certificate, based on the federally-supported Reading First program, is designed for teachers in pre-K through third grade classrooms, as well as reading specialists and those who teach in special classrooms.

How to Earn a Certificate

Three online courses, which should be taken sequentially, are required to earn the certificate. Students should plan to dedicate about 10 hours of work per unit of credit to complete courses. While you may register at any time, courses must be completed within 16 weeks of receiving your course link(s) from VESi. Courses are self-paced, allowing you to work on the requirements as your schedule permits, and should be completed in sequence.

Courses

An Introduction to Scientifically Based Research

This first in the three-course series is designed to give background on Reading First as it applies to the No Child Left Behind legislation. In it, you will learn about scientifically based research as it applies to phonetically-based instruction, assessment and evaluation. Explore myths and misconceptions concerning reading instruction and remediation. You will also be provided with an evaluation checklist designed to assess the effectiveness of your current reading program. The goal of this course is to present you with trustworthy evidence and background information to support the need for a reading program that is based on scientific research and proven methods.

Laying the Foundation for Effective Reading Instruction

This second course in the series lays the foundation for effective reading instruction and covers the elements involved. You will benefit, and more importantly, your students will benefit, both in terms of their behavior and their academic performance. You will also learn about the importance of reading instruction, some sobering statistics on U.S. reading performance and what happens when individuals are not proficient in reading.

The Elements of Effective Reading Instruction and Assessment

This course will focus on learning to read, reading to learn and an introduction to reading assessment. Elements of effective reading instruction will be highlighted, including definitions, implications for instruction and future directions. You'll learn the five elements of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and text comprehension. Discover comprehensive strategies for reading instruction preparation, including how to integrate computer technology in the classroom. The course will provide important information on terms and definitions and includes 29 specific recommendations for reading assessments. Finally, the course will show you how to conduct pivotal curriculum-based measurement procedures in your classroom.

Program Fees

^* Fees are subject to change