Our Reading Specialist Certification Program is for candidates who want to deepen their pedagogical content knowledge associated with providing evidence-based reading instruction essential to meeting the needs of all Texas students Pre-K-12, including serving students with diverse backgrounds and needs.
In the Reading Specialist Certification Program you will be provided structured and sustained field support and mentoring throughout your internship year to personalize the learning experience.
We prepare certified teachers to meet the standards aligned to the TExES exam (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards™) to become a Reading Specialist. Career options include classroom or intervention teacher, reading specialist, literacy coach, or district-level literacy leader.
The 2021-2022 Reading Specialist Certification Cohort will begin training in June of 2021. The timeline for application and fees is as follows:
- Application opens by November 1, 2020
- Application due by March 1, 2021
- Notification of acceptance delivered on March 10, 2021
- Registration fee due by April 1, 2021
- Pre-service fee due by July 1, 2021
- Training begins in June 2021 (schedule can be found here)
In-Service Fees are payroll deductible from October 2021-June 2022
All applicants must have:
- Texas Teaching Certificate
- Master's Degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA (official transcripts must be submitted)
- Official service record with at least two (2) full years as a teacher of record
- Three (3) Professional recommendations (please use this Recommendation Form)
Application fees for the Reading Specialist Certification Cohort are as follows:
- Application Fee: $100
- Registration Fee: $250
- Pre-Service Fee:$300 (July 1)
- In-Service Fee: $2340 ($260 for 9 months/payroll deducted)
Total: $2990
Who can apply?
Educators with a Master's Degree who have at least two (2) years of teaching experience as a fully certified teacher.
What if I taught in a private school?
Your two years of teaching experience must have been with a Valid Teaching Certificate and recognized by the state as a valid teaching experience.
Is there an application fee?
Yes, there is a $100 non-refundable application fee required to establish eligibility for program entrance.
Will anyone who applies be accepted?
Not everyone that applies will be accepted into the Reading Specialist Certification Program. Letters of recommendation and the application process must be completed as requested. Appropriate credentials will be checked. Our goal is for every person who applies to successfully complete training.
Is it OK for me to miss class?
All absences must be approved by the Program Cohort Leader and must be made up with similar content. It is VERY important you do not miss class. You cannot have more than two absences and content will need to be made up.
Where are classes held?
All classes will be live-virtual sessions through Zoom, or online courses until further notice.
What if I have a concern about the program?
The Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs encourage stakeholders to discuss their concerns with appropriate program personnel who have the authority to address the concerns. Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution. Informal resolution shall be encouraged. If this does not resolve your issue, please follow our formal complaint process. EPP Complaint Process and EPP Complaint Form