2007-2008 Academic Catalog

• Quick Links
• Educational Foundations and Leadership Programs
• Master of Education
• Doctor of Education
• Early Childhood Authorization
• Middle Level Authorization
• Reading Endorsement
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement
• Library Media Specialist Endorsement
• Initial Teaching License
• Continuing Teaching License
• Initial Administrator License
• Continuing Administrator License
• Educational Foundations and Leadership Course Descriptions

Reading Endorsement

Purpose

The Reading Endorsement program is designed to prepare students for specialized work in diagnosing reading difficulties, creating school-wide reading programs, and improving reading instruction in the classroom.

Students desiring to add an endorsement to their Oregon Teaching License can do so within the doctor or master of education program, or as a stand-alone program. Students desiring to add an authorization level only would complete the requirements below.

Program Objectives

Educational Objectives

To enable students to:

• Gain experience in the understanding and teaching of reading and writing

Professional Objectives

To enable students to:

• Meet the federal government's "No Child Left Behind" definition of "highly qualified" in the area of literacy
• Obtain the reading endorsement added to their teaching license

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Reading Endorsement program must hold an approved bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, applicants must complete the following to be considered for admission to the program:

• Educational Foundations and Leadership application form and application fee

Applicants seeking to meet TSPC endorsement requirements upon completion of the program must also complete the following:

• Verification of valid Oregon teaching license or the equivalent, such as an expired or out-of-state license, education degree, or documented and appropriate teacher experience (applicants to the program that do not have a teaching license should submit a letter of explanation as to how the program would meet their professional goals.)
• Completed Teachers Standards and Practices Character Questionnaire

Transfer Credit

Upon approval by the department, transfer of up to 3 hours credit (10 hours if embedded in the ) is allowed toward the Reading Endorsement program from accredited graduate schools. Students must have earned a grade of B or better for a course to be considered for transfer. Transferability of credits earned at this institution and transferred to another is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Consult the registrar's office for information on eligibility of transfer credit.

Residence Requirements

Of the 15 hours required for the Reading Endorsement program, a minimum of 12 hours must be taken in resident study at George Fox University. All work leading to the endorsement must be completed within seven years from the time of matriculation. Extension of this limit requires approval of the Educational Foundations and Leadership (EDFL) Faculty. However, only one such extension may be considered due to special circumstances, such as ill health. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree.

Course Requirements

The Reading Endorsement program is generally 2 years in length with 15 semester hours of course work required as a minimum for graduation. Of the total hours required for the program, 11 are in general reading and literacy courses and 4 hours of specific authorization level courses.

Other Program Requirements

Students must select at least one authorization level and complete the course requirements for that authorization level. In addition to the core requirements, students must complete the Praxis content area exam required by Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC).

Graduation Requirements

In order to complete the reading endorsement students must:

• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 15 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Achieve no grade lower than a B in all core courses. If a grade of a B- or lower is received in a designated course, that course must be retaken (for more specific information, please refer to the student handbook).

Curriculum Plan