Reading Endorsement and Certification
The following teachers are required to either hold the Reading Endorsement, Reading K-12 certification or to begin the course requirements to add Reading Endorsement to their certificate:
- Any 3rd Grade teacher that has a student that has been retained in 3rd grade.
- Any teacher that is listed as the teacher of record for a Tier 3 reading intervention.
- Any teacher that would like to be considered to teach 3rd grade Summer School
Contacts
Dana.Miller@stlucieschools.org (Instructional Specialist, Talent Development)
Didi.Johnson@stlucieschools.org(Coordinator of Quality Instruction, Talent Development)
Reading Endorsement Options
Option 1: Free Through the Lastinger Center
* The Literacy Matrix is free to:
- K-12 educators and coaches in Florida as a pathway to the Reading Endorsement
- Participation may be contingent upon district approval. For more information: Pre-Enrollment Flyer.
* For more information: UF Lastinger Center Reading Matrix
Option 2: Get Reimbursed for completed courses with Literacy Solutions
Only available for current, full-time teachers
* How it works:
- Enroll in a course HERE
- Choose your course option: Facilitated Courses ONLY for FL DOE Reading Endorsement courses: RE1, RE2, RE3, RE4, or RE5
- Pay the fee to take the course (self-paced; on-line)
- Complete the course and download the certificate
- Upload your certificate and information to this FORM for reimbursement of up to $195
- Complete a “Request to Add Inservice Hours” form in Frontline
* This offer is only available for the first 100 St. Lucie Public School employees! Take advantage of it fast.(Charter school employees must seek approval from their administration prior to enrolling since the school itself would be responsible for the reimbursement)
Option 3: Take RE4 free through FLDOE BEESS
The BEESS Portal to Professional Learning Alternatives (PLA) courses are available to all Florida educators for statewide registration. All PLA course titles consist of the same course content with varying dates and group meeting times. Please ensure you select a PLA course that meets your personal recertification needs and schedule. View offered courses: FDLRS.org
Reading Endorsement Course 4 will be titled Differentiated Reading Instruction: 60 hours.
Once courses have been completed, follow the process to request in-service points in frontline: Adding In-Service Points to Frontline
FAQ
Are all students who are retained in third grade required to receive intensive reading interventions?
Yes. Section 1008.25(7)(a), F.S., requires students retained in third grade to be provided intensive interventions in reading to improve the student’s specific reading deficiency.
I would like to teach summer school for 3rd grade students, do I need to hold a Reading Endorsement?
Yes. Per statute section 1008.25(7)(a), F.S, teachers of summer school will be required to have a certification in reading or hold a Reading Endorsement.
Does every teacher (math, social studies, P.E., music, etc.) of a retained third grade student need to be certified or endorsed in reading?
No. Section 1011.62(9), F.S., requires that intensive reading interventions (Tier 3) must be delivered by a teacher who is certified or endorsed in reading. Thus, only the teacher who is delivering the intensive reading interventions will need to be certified or endorsed in reading.
May paraprofessionals, long-term substitutes, or volunteers provide the required intensive reading interventions?
No. Section 1011.62(9), F.S., states the intensive reading interventions are to be delivered by a teacher who is certified or endorsed in reading.
How does SLPS identify students to receive intensive reading interventions?
SLPS has created a Reading Decision Tree chart within the K-12 Comprehensive Research-Based Reading Plan for courses required for students requiring intensive interventions at the Tier 3 level. In addition, students identified in Skyward as needing Tier 3 interventions will be assigned to a teacher to provide that intense intervention.
Are all teachers required to deliver intensive reading interventions?
No. Schools decide which teachers are selected to deliver the intensive reading interventions including the course and when during the instructional day.
How will the FLDOE monitor the implementation of these requirements?
Each school must properly report the course in which each qualifying student is receiving either targeted or intensive reading interventions required by the SLPS K-12 Comprehensive Research-Based Reading Plan using the Automated Student Information System Data Element #168521, Reading Intervention.
May teachers who are not certified or endorsed in reading provide the intensive reading interventions and be considered out-of-field while working toward earning the reading endorsement?
Yes. In accordance with Rule 6A-1.0503, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.c.), Definition of Qualified
Instructional Personnel, teachers who are not certified or endorsed in reading may be considered out–of-field and continue to provide intensive reading interventions as they work toward earning the certification or endorsement in reading.
How many Reading Endorsement Competencies must an "out-of-field" teacher complete each year in order to continue to provide intensive reading interventions?
A teacher who completes at least two (2) of the five reading endorsement competencies per year may continue to provide intensive reading interventions.
Note: The FLDOE does not require teachers to complete all five competencies of the 300-hour Reading Endorsement in one year.
I was out-of-field in a previous assignment, can I teach out-of-field again?
No. Only teachers that have completed the required compliance for an out-of-field assignment would be
permitted to teach out of field again. If you want to know your eligibility for an out-of-field assignment, please contact Lauren Fowler in Human Resources at 429-7507.
Can I take the Reading K-12 subject area exam to meet the requirement for Reading Endorsement?
Yes. A teacher can take and pass the Reading K-12 subject area exam to meet the requirement for Reading Endorsement.
The test costs $150. Please note that teachers will not be reimbursed for the cost of the assessment. If a teacher is not successful in passing the test, they would have to re-take the test and pay an additional fee.
** Reading K-12 subject area exam was originally intended for educators that hold a master’s degree in Reading.**
I think I completed Reading Courses in my under-graduate degree, can I use those courses to meet the requirement for the Reading Endorsement?
Yes. There are many universities and colleges that issue a degree in Elementary Education and Exceptional
Student Education that are now incorporating Reading Endorsement classes into course work. A certificate
issued by an internationally recognized organization that establishes standards for providing evidence-based
interventions to struggling readers, or who completes a post-secondary program that is accredited by such
organization can also be issued a Reading Endorsement.
You can request the FLDOE to review your transcript to see if classes on your transcript can be used toward Reading Endorsement. School districts cannot review transcripts.
- Register as a new applicant (if you have not done so already):
- Apply for the addition to the Professional certificate. Please be certain that you use the “add endorsement Bureau of Educator Certification” application.
- Make the $75 addition fee payment directly through that application process.
When the payment has been made and the application submitted to the FLDOE for the addition, the FLDOE will issue a Statement of Eligibility. This statement will outline if any courses on your transcript can be used as part of the Reading Endorsement. This Statement of Eligibility will last for three (3) years. In that time, if you complete the required courses for Reading Endorsement, you DO NOT have to pay additional $75 to add Reading Endorsement to your certificate.