Reading/ESOL Literacy, Master of Education

Admission

Please refer to “The Graduate Admissions Process” section for general graduate admission information.

Admission to the Master of Education in Reading/ESOL Literacy degree program requires the following:

1. Complete and submit the Graduate Application for Admission, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee. The application can be downloaded atwww.wilmu.edu/admission/documents/paperapp.pdf
2. Submit an official transcript or transcripts verifying completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Transcripts and all application documents should be sent to the Wilmington University Office of Graduate Admissions.
3. Submit official (and complete) score reports demonstrating mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write, and compute. *This requirement can be met by providing an official score report showing scores (including all sub-scores) on the ETS Praxis Series Core Academic Skills for Educators (ETS #5712, 5722, and 5732). Minimum acceptable scores are:

Test	Score
ETS 5712 Reading	156
ETS 5722 Writing	162
ETS 5732 Mathematics	150

4. Submit a valid United States teaching certificate.
5. International students must provide results from the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) that meet current minimum score requirements.
6. Schedule a program planning conference with a Graduate Program Advisor or the Program Chair.
7. Register for MED 6102 (E-Folio) along with other course(s) selected.
8. NOTE: Candidates admitted prior to July 1, 2014 have until July 30, 2015 to satisfy this requirement.

The Master of Education in Reading/ESOL Literacy prepares teachers for certification as both a Reading Specialist and ESL teacher in grades K-12. Please see individual degree program descriptions for the most thorough description of each component of this dual degree.

Program Competencies

The program competencies are the IRA Standards, summarized below, and can be accessed in their entirety through the IRA’s website: www.reading.org/General/CurrentResearch/Standards. The TESOL standards are located at: www.ncate.org/ProgramStandards/TESOL/TesolStd.pdf

Outcomes Assessment

The assessment of outcomes consists of multiple measures as described in the individual program descriptions.

ALL individual program requirements must be met.

Program Design

The Master of Education in Reading/ESOL Literacy program was designed to meet five sets of professional standards: Delaware Professional Teaching Standards (DPTS), National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC), Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) under the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), International Literacy Association (ILA), and Teachers of English Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Students who complete the program are eligible for a State of Delaware Reading Specialist and ESL certification. Candidates are required to register for MED 6102, E-Folio as the initial course in the program as this course will allow them to document various course requirements needed to satisfy program competencies.

This program is designed to serve students with several career opportunities.

50 credits are required for the master’s degree. Subsequently, candidates may apply for the Reading Specialist and ESL certificates through the Department of Education. Documentation of a passing PRAXIS II Reading Specialist (5301) score (164), passing ESL PRAXIS II 5361 score (149) are required, for the university. All Praxis scores should be sent to Wilmington University directly from ETS.

An exit interview with the Program Chair or an advisor is required.

Program Requirements

A current valid United States teaching certificate is required for admission to this program, as noted previously.

Completion of the degree includes successful completion of core courses, clinical courses, and a research course. Fifteen (15) semester credits of core courses in language, literacy, content area reading, literature and non-fiction materials for children and adolescents, and measurement, accountability and student learning, and second language acquisition, pedagogy and structure of language are required. The required clinical sequence includes twenty (23) semester credits with a minimum of 440 clock hours of practice. All of the core courses require some collaboration and practice in schools. The research seminar is three (3) semester hours and includes analyses of research and conducting research. All courses require interaction with children and/or teachers and paraprofessionals at multiple grade levels.

The clinical component requires candidates to arrange for time to be spent in elementary and secondary schools so that they can become familiar with classrooms and the learning environment K-12. In addition, time must be arranged to work with other teachers at the elementary and secondary levels, specialists, parents, and community organizations. Case studies of individuals and groups, analyses of classrooms of students, instructional planning and delivery for individuals, groups, and classrooms are all requirements. Participation in the reading clinic is required as part of the diagnosis and assessment course. A grade of “B” is required in MRD 7903. Experience serving as a resource person to other professionals in middle and secondary schools is required. A final component requires candidates to attend school board meetings, community activities and be affiliated with either a local, state or national professional reading organization.

A research project is required. This research project may be qualitative or quantitative and designed for a classroom, school, or a district level. Candidates may not take MRD 7920 and MRD 7950 concurrently without prior approval of Program Chair.

Verification forms are collected throughout the program for various learning experiences.

Content and Performance Assessment Requirements

This is a state-approved degree program which contributes to eligibility for licensure/certification as an educator in Delaware public schools. As such, all candidates must meet the content and performance assessment requirements described in DE Administrative Code, Title 14, Regulation 290.

The regulation states, in part:

Content Assessment (This subparagraph shall take effect January 1, 2015).

“Where a content readiness exam is applicable and available in area, subject, or category of specialization sought, the Candidate shall achieve a passing score on an examination as established by the Professional Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with concurrence of the State Board.”

Performance Assessment (This subparagraph shall take effect July 1, 2016.)

“Where a performance assessment is applicable and available in an area appropriate to the Program in which a Candidate is enrolled, the Candidate shall achieve a passing score as a requirement to Exit the Program. The performance assessment may not be scored by any employees of the Educator Preparation Program or Unit, and shall be scored by Certified Reviewers.”

The instruments selected by Wilmington University as required exit assessments for the M.Ed. in Reading/ESOL Literacy are:

ETS PRAXIS II Reading Specialist, test #5301. This assessment must be taken and passed using State of Delaware passing criteria (minimum score of 164) prior to receiving a grade in MRD 7950.

ETS PRAXIS II English to Speakers of Other Languages, test #5361. This assessment must be taken and passed with a minimum score of 149.

Both of these assessments are administered and scored by ETS. Praxis scores must be sent directly to Wilmington University via ETS.

Candidates must consult with program advisors and/or program chairs to obtain the most current information about these graduation requirements.

Candidates must satisfy all exit and graduation requirements in order to be eligible for program completion and degree conferral.

Qualifications for a Degree

To qualify for a Master of Education in Reading/ESOL Literacy, a candidate must complete all courses: core and clinical, for a total of 50 semester credits. The Knowledge of Reading Test (KRT), the MLL Content Area Test both which assess knowledge of basic reading skills, strategies and materials, and instruction of English Language Learners (ELLs) must be taken online during MRD 7920, Practicum in Reading, or MRD 7950, Seminar in Reading Research. The PRAXIS II Reading Specialist test (5301) must also be taken and passed using State of Delaware passing criteria (164) prior to receiving a grade in MRD 7950. The Praxis ESL Subject Area Test (5361) must also be taken and passed with a score of 149. Praxis scores should be sent to the university via ETS. They will also need to be posted in Taskstream. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program. The program must be completed within five years.

Course Requirements

Master of Education in Reading leading to State Certification as a Reading Specialist K-12/ESOL Literacy (50 credits)

(This list does not convey the recommended sequence of courses.) 

Core Courses

Clinical Courses: All clinical courses are semester courses.