COEHS Unit Assessment System
Advanced Preparation Program Candidate Assessment (Content Guidelines)
Reading Specialists

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Content Guidelines for Reading Specialist

Must have Knowledge and Skills in . . .

1) Language Arts Standards: Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for English Language Arts;
National Standards for the English Language Arts
           
2) Language Arts Processes:  e.g. reading, speaking, etc., interrelationships among them;
interdisciplinary & integrative aspects of language arts processes;
perception of reading as a process of constructing meaning through the interaction of the reader, text, & context of the reading situation
           
3) Language Arts Models: strengths & weaknesses of various literacy models.
           
4) Research: contributions of literacy scholars to the literacy knowledge base;
research in reading & language arts, special education., psychology, and other fields that address pupils with reading and learning disabilities;
historical & current perspectives, terminology, diagnostic procedures, & instructional approaches in reading and the language arts, psychology, & special education;
research methodologies, e.g., ethnographic, descriptive, experimental, & historical
           
5) Language: nature & structure of language; language variation; relationship of language systems, e.g., phonemic, morphemic, etc. to the language arts
           
6) Literacy, Language Acquisition, Language Development, Cognition & Learning:
major theories of literacy, language acquisition, language development, cognition, metacognition, & learning;
developmental process of the language arts, e.g., reading, writing, speaking, etc., from infancy through middle childhood;
nature and multiple causes of reading disabilities;
major definitions of family literacy & the impact of family structures, functions, relationships & dynamics on literacy development & educational progress;
cultural, linguistic, cognitive, & social aspects of literacy development & the interrelationships among these aspects & the language arts;
influence of physical, psychological, social, cultural, environmental & cognitive factors on learning, language development & reading;
influence of environmental context on use of language.
           
7) Literature: classic & contemporary literature, faction & non-fiction, i.e., oral, written, etc. at the best levels;
function & variety of literary forms.

8) Sociocultural & Political Aspects of Literacy: literacy as a means for shaping & transmitting culture; relationship between political processes & reading policy.