Reading and Literacy Added Authorization, Certificate of Special Study

The Department of Literacy, Early, Bilingual, and Special Education  

Dr. Lisa Bennett, Advanced Literacy Credential Coordinator
Kremen Education Building, Room 265
559.278-0243
lbennett@mail.fresnostate.edu

LEBSE Department Website:
https://kremen.fresnostate.edu/departments-programs/lebse.htm

RLAA Program Website:
https://kremen.fresnostate.edu/masters-education/reading-language-arts/authorization.html

Program Description: The Reading and Literacy Added Authorization (RLAA) program of study provides advanced preparation in literacy education and assessment and prepares teachers to address the literacy needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners within the grade levels authorized  by the holder’s valid credential at the classroom and school site. The RLAA is a 15-unit program that takes two semesters to complete.

Holders of the RLAA are authorized to perform the following duties at the school site level (could be at one or more school sites) at the grade levels authorized by their prerequisite teaching credential:

• Provide direct reading intervention to students and adapt instructional practices and strategies to provide direct specialized reading instruction to students with severe reading difficulties including monitoring and adjusting intervention instruction.
• Participate in the adoption of literacy curricula, facilitate, and monitor implementation of adopted curricula, and support and assist teachers in the use of literacy curricula.
• Select and administer ongoing formal and informal diagnostic assessments of students’ progress, report results, assist teachers in modifying instructional practices, and use the results for student placement in and exit from reading intervention programs.
• Interpret results of school-wide reading assessment data to monitor student progress and identify modification of instructional practices and strategies to assist teachers.
• Develop, implement, and adapt reading and literacy instructional materials, technologies, and strategies in alignment with students’ assessed reading and literacy needs including the prevention and intervention of reading difficulties; and assist teachers to ensure that the full range of students develop proficiency.
• Assist students’ and teachers’ use of information and communication technologies and the development of digital literacy skills.

RLAA Admission Requirements:

1. Fresno State Graduate Program application.
2. Transcripts (official copy of transcripts showing a baccalaureate degree and all post-BA coursework).
3. Statement of purpose
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Minimum 2.75 GPA
6. Application Processing Fee
7. Verification of a basic teaching credential (Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist).
8. Verification of at least 2 years of full-time teaching experience in any grade, preschool through adult, exclusive of student teaching, internship teaching or teaching while holding an emergency permit.
9. Evidence of having met the California Basic Skills Requirement (BSR).
10. Evidence of having met the English Learner Authorization.