TEDX1883X - Reading Fundamentals #3: The Elements of Effective Reading Instruction & Assessment

Course Description

The Reading Fundamentals program focuses on implementing proven methods of reading instruction in classrooms. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 added two new reading programs to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act—Reading First and Early Reading First—both under the Bush Administration. Under the Obama Administration, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) became the main educational law for public schools. The Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy program provided funding focused on advancing literacy skills for children from birth through grade 12. An emphasis was placed on evidence-based classroom instruction and assessment and targeted interventions for those reading below grade level. Race to the Top was another initiative offering funding. Under the Trump Administration, the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy program was renamed the Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation (LEARN).

This course will focus on grades K–3 and grades 4–12 and the Science of Reading. As part of these two key areas of reading instruction, prereading skills for preschoolers will be briefly described. Additionally, the five elements of effective reading instruction will be highlighted, including definitions, implications for instruction, and future directions. These five elements are instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension (grades K–3); and word study, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and motivation (grades 4–12).

We conclude with information on important assessment terms and definitions. Further, we provide information on how reading assessment fits within the Reading First Program. We include detailed information on the Analysis of Reading Assessment Instruments for K–3 (Institute for the Development of Educational Achievement, 2002) completed by key leaders in the assessment field. This analysis includes specific recommendations on 29 reading assessments. We describe how response to intervention (RTI) and multitier system of support (MTSS) are used to understand student reading needs, including screening, diagnosing where to focus instruction, and monitoring student reading progress over time. We demonstrate how teachers can link assessment with instruction and data-based decision making in classroom settings, with particular focus on pivotal curriculum-based measurement procedures.

View Reading Fundamentals #3: The Elements of Effective Reading Instruction & Assessment syllabus for additional information.

Key Benefits

• 100% online self-paced course.
• No prior experience required.
• No textbooks and other materials required for purchase.

Learning Modules Include

• Chapter 1: Reading Instruction
  • The purpose of this course is to consider what we can do in school to promote effective reading instruction. In this chapter, we discuss Science of Reading and focus on two elements of effective reading instruction. These are phonemic awareness and phonics.
• Chapter 2: Reading to Learn & Other Important Areas of Reading Instruction
  • In this chapter, we focus on additional elements of the Science of Reading: fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Additionally we look at applying the Science of Reading in content-area reading activities and instruction.
• Chapter 3: Further Examination of Reading Programs & Skills
  • In this chapter, we provide further examination of reading programs and skills. We discuss how to evaluate core or comprehensive reading programs using the Consumer’s Guide developed by Simmons and Kame’enui (2003). We also discuss the Planning and Evaluation Tool (Kame’enui & Simmons, 2000) and the Rubric for Evaluating Reading/Language Arts Instructional Materials for Kindergarten to Grade 5 by Foorman, Smith, and Kosanovich (2017), which are used to assess reading programs. We conclude by discussing the important accomplishments by grade level as identified by Armbruster, Lehr, and Osborn (2003) in their booklet A Child Becomes a Reader: Proven Ideas From Research for Parents: Kindergarten Through Grade 3.
• Chapter 4: Reading Remediation
  • In this chapter, we will describe interventions for students in grades K–12. We offer important guidelines for remedial reading programs. We focus on the importance of tutorial programs in schools. Tutorial programs are considered one of the best ways of providing reading instruction to struggling readers.
• Chapter 5: Best Practices for Reading Assessment
  • This chapter describes relevant assessment terms and purposes. It is critical to understand the types of tests available to teachers and what information can be gathered from them. It also provides important information about how assessment fits within Reading First. Additionally, this chapter details the findings of the Reading First Assessment Committee. It also provides important information about how assessment currently fits within the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy program. Additionally, this chapter details the best practices from the Reading First Assessment Committee, the Florida Center for Reading Research, and the National Center for Intensive Intervention (NCII). Response to intervention (RTI) practices for understanding the literacy needs of students through screening, diagnostic, and progress-monitoring assessments are detailed.
• Chapter 6: Linking Assessment With Instruction
  • This chapter lays out how to link reading assessment with instruction, meaning how to use assessment information to meet individual students’ literacy needs every day. It describes the ever-important link between assessment and instruction and how to problem-solve when student literacy needs are not being met. An outcomes-driven model is discussed. Additionally, the chapter explores data tracking and data-based decision-making, with particular focus on CBM and its derivatives (i.e., measures not based directly on a particular curriculum, but integrating CBM elements such as frequent progress monitoring). It discusses the DIBELS in addition to teacher-developed CBM practices that can serve as criterion-referenced tests when student data are compared with performance criteria. We highlight best practices for understanding the reading comprehension and motivation of striving readers (grades 4–12).

Course Learning Outcomes

• Describe the application of the Science of Reading.
• Describe learning to read and reading to learn.
• Discuss important aspects of phonemic awareness instruction.
• Identify important aspects of phonics instruction.
• Describe important aspects of fluency instruction.
• Note important aspects of vocabulary instruction.
• Discuss important aspects of text comprehension.
• Describe the major activities related to content-area reading instruction.
• Note how computer technology can be used in reading instruction.
• Outline the goals and approaches of RTI and MTSS, in general and with regard to reading remediation.
• Describe accomplishments that can be expected for students in grades K–3.
• Discuss important aspects of adolescent literacy instruction and assessment (grades 4–12).
• Discuss important aspects of word study and motivation.
• Describe reading remediation guidelines and interventions for students in grades K–12.
• Describe how to incorporate tutoring as an effective reading intervention.
• Define important assessment terms.
• Discuss technical quality, test interpretation, and assessment purposes.
• Note how assessment fits within federally mandated programs.
• Apply response to intervention (RTI) systems/multitier system of supports (MTSS) approaches to understand student reading needs, including screening, diagnosing where to focus instruction, and monitoring student reading progress.

Requirements to Enroll

No application is needed to enroll. All learners are eligible to enroll in the course. There are no admission requirements. It is recommended that learners have a high school diploma or GED, and have basic computer and internet knowledge.

Semester Open-Enrollment Schedule:

• Spring = January - April
• Summer = May - August
• Fall = September - December

*Please note that students are only allowed to register max 5 TEDX courses per semester period*

Estimated Time to Completion

This course can be completed in approximately 40 hours of asynchronous work.

Access Time

Learners will have access to their course learning modules for up to 365 days from the date of enrollment.

CEUs and PDUs

• CEUs 4.0 National University Continuing Education Units

Certificate of Completion

Learners will be awarded a National University Workforce and Community Education, Professional and Continuing Education Certificate of Completion after satisfying the course requirements below:

1. Complete all four information sections showing a competent understanding of the material presented in each section.
2. Complete all four section examinations, showing a competent understanding of the material presented.  You must obtain an overall score of 70% or higher, with no individual exam score below 50%, to pass this course.  *Please note: Minimum exam score requirements may vary by college or university; therefore, you should refer to your course addendum to determine what your minimum exam score requirements are.
3. Complete a review of any section on which your examination score was below 50%.
4. Retake any examination, after completing an information review, to increase that examination score to a minimum of 50%, making sure to also be achieving an overall exam score of a minimum 70% (maximum of three attempts). *Please note: Minimum exam score requirements may vary by college or university; therefore, you should refer to your course addendum to determine what your minimum exam score requirements are.
5. Complete a course evaluation form at the end of the course.

Refund Policy

We at National University want all of our students to have a positive and rewarding learning experience. In the event that a student is not completely satisfied with a course, we offer a refund policy to ensure satisfaction.

To be eligible for a refund, the student must submit a written request, including a valid reason, within 9 calendar days of registering for the course. Additionally, the student must not have attempted more than 25% of the course.

To request a refund, email PACE@nu.edu and include your full name, student ID, and course name. Your reason for requesting a refund will be carefully reviewed, and we reserve the right to refuse a refund if we determine the request to be invalid.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are approved for a refund, we will issue a refund to your original method of payment within 60 days of the refund approval.