Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential

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

Program Description: The Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential (RLLSC) program of study prepares candidates to specialize in literacy leadership specifically for California’s culturally and linguistically diverse learners. The RLLSC is an 18 unit program that takes two semesters to complete.

Holders of the RLLSC are authorized to perform the following duties at the school site, district, and county levels in grades twelve and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults:

• Provide direct reading intervention to students and adapt instructional routines and strategies to provide direct specialized reading instruction to students with severe reading difficulties, including monitoring and adjusting intervention instruction.
• Coordinate adoption and facilitate implementation of adopted literacy curricula, including providing training to teachers.
• Select and administer reading and literacy assessments, interpret results to determine student growth and identification of struggling students, select interventions, communicate results, and provide guidance and coaching to teachers.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive literacy plan.
• Support students’ literacy development and inform and train teachers in literacy skills using information and communication technologies.
• Evaluate literacy practices and report findings, guide teachers and administrators in collaborative efforts to design, implement, and evaluate local, state and/or federal programs, and plan and conduct staff development.

RLLSC Admission Requirements In addition to the university admission requirements:

1. Transcripts (official copy of transcripts showing a baccalaureate degree and all post-B.A. coursework).
2. Statement of purpose
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Minimum 2.75 GPA
5. Application Processing Fee
6. Verification of a basic teaching credential (Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist).
7. 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.
8. Evidence of having met the California Basic Skills Requirement (BSR).

NOTE: Candidates pursuing the Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential (RLLSC) need to possess a California Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Special Education credential and documentation of  three (3) years of full-time, fully credentialed teaching at the time the credential application is submitted to the State of California.