Traditional teachers may work closely with their students in reading and literacy, but they might not have the advanced training needed for teaching reading skills. By acquiring a reading certification, you will have the tools and expertise necessary for effective literacy coaching. You will learn how to assess reading levels, devise individual student reading plans and implement literacy strategies and techniques. The certification allows you to work in a school environment for children or to assist with adult students who struggle with reading.
To be eligible to take a state-licensing exam, you must have a bachelor's degree in reading or literacy. According to Education-Portal, reading specialist certification master's programs usually require their applicants to be current teachers with two to three years of experience. Other requirements may vary but could also include previous knowledge and experience in reading methodologies, educational psychology and children's literature.
Reading certification is different for each state; check with your state education board to determine the requirements. In some cases, once students complete a bachelor's degree program in reading or a related field, they can take an exam.
You can also choose to acquire a master's degree in reading or literacy. Each college or university's master's program is different, but, according to AllEducationSchools.com, they may offer courses in reading curricula components, reading techniques, assessment and evaluation, and reading research and issues. You will also need to complete a student teaching experience prior to graduation.
Reading teachers may choose to obtain national certification managed by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). It requires a bachelor's degree and at least three years of relevant teaching experience. You will also need to submit a portfolio and complete various assessments to become a candidate for certification. This process may take up to three years to complete.
AllEducationSchools.com reports, "according to PayScale.com, full-time reading specialists working in the school system can earn a median salary of $52,000 per year." To compare, "current data from Salary.com shows that public school teachers in general earn average salaries between $43,194 and $57,731 per year." According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for certified reading teachers are increasing due to an emphasis on special instructional programs---especially for students with special needs.