Certificate of Distinction for the Reading Preparation of Elementary and Secondary Teachers

First Certificate of Distinction Awarded

The first Certificate of Distinction has been awarded to the University of Texas at San Antonio. Jack Cassidy will chair a special session at IRA’s annual convention to honor the winner and talk about the program in more detail.

Wednesday, May 7, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
IRA Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia World Congress Center, Room C210

Excellence honored in reading teacher preparation

IRA’s new program – the Certificate of Distinction – honors outstanding reading preparation of teachers. The Certificate of Distinction recognizes only distinguished programs that consistently prepare well–qualified reading teachers who know about and use evidence-based practices.

Every student deserves a highly qualified reading teacher

IRA developed a set of standards and a review process for the reading component of professional preparation programs for classroom teachers at both the elementary and secondary level.

The Certificate of Distinction can be used by program faculty to:

Promote ongoing program improvement
Secure resources to achieve excellence

Eligibility and Evaluation

“Program” may refer to several different types of entities:

an entire elementary and/or secondary initial preparation program
a subprogram within an elementary or secondary preparation program
other clearly defined university entities to which the word “program” applies

In each case, IRA reviews the reading components and determines if the program is providing distinguished preparation in reading.

Application and Standards

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Program benefits

The Certificate of Distinction supports teacher education programs that improve the quality of reading instruction preparation.

Informed change happens as applicants complete the program evaluation and reflection process
Knowledge base expands when highly effective reading programs are recognized and documented
Best practices are shared, enriching all programs
Public recognition of programs that reach for and achieve excellence