The mission of the Literacy Education Programs is to prepare educators to become reading specialists, literacy coaches, and professional leaders who are highly knowledgeable in the theoretical and practical foundations of literacy, who recognize access to literacy education as a social justice issue, and who advocate for academic, linguistic, and culturally diverse populations in PK-12 schools and communities. The Literacy Programs also prepare pre-service teachers to be knowledgeable and competent in literacy instruction for PK-12 learners. The underlying principles guiding our mission are:
Primacy of literacy and preparing teachers to teach for our literacy futures
We need to prepare teachers who can prepare their students to meet literacy challenges in an information age.
Developing knowledgeable literacy teachers
Investment in time and energy to develop knowledgeable literacy teachers takes precedence over the use of scripted programs, particular approaches, and materials.
Valuing diversity and diverse learners with literacy as a tool for empowerment
We need literacy teachers who value diversity and make decisions taking into account diverse learning styles, and the cultural, linguistic, and social and developmental needs and strengths of the diverse range of students served in our classrooms.
Research based literacy instruction
Teaching should be derived from research based practice. We need to develop teachers who take a reflective stance in their work and use student learning outcomes to inform and refine their teaching to better serve their student
Ethical stance
Assessment should be purposeful, to inform teaching and learning, and not be used as a punitive practice.
Professionalism/Collegiality/Leadership
Reading and language arts professionals need to work with and support one another as a community of learners and practitioners.