EDUC 542 - Diagnosis and Remediation of Literacy Difficulties

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FA, SP, online. This course meets the state literacy course requirements for professional certification. It is required as part of the Calvin graduate reading specialist endorsement and can be used as an elective in any of the other Calvin MEd programs. In this course, we consider the developmental, socio-cultural and cognitive aspects of literacy teaching with students of all ages. We review literacy practices including fiction, information and discipline specific texts, special interest reading, and work place literacy. The course presents and critiques current positions from which literacy instruction is designed and delivered. It develops participants’ pedagogy as they learn to assess a reader’s abilities and develop instructional responses. Participants enhance their own critical literacy abilities as readers and writers of text. Course participants undertake a case study to complement the course readings, discussion and other learning. Course objectives are met through a deep engagement with a student who has been identified as an “at risk” reader based on classroom performance, ELL status or special education. This authentic engagement, facilitated by professional observations, assessments, and a responsive intervention, fully complements and activates course objectives.