“Standards for Reading Professionals—Revised 2010 (Standards 2010) sets forth the criteria for developing and evaluating preparation programs for reading professionals. The Standards describe what candidates for the reading profession should know and be able to do in professional settings. The Standards are performance based, focusing on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for effective educational practice in a specific role. Also, the Standards are the result of a deliberative process that drew from professional expertise and research in the reading field.”
Below is an abbreviated and adapted version of the ILA standards. That adaptions are an attempt to apply these standards specifically to reading intervention efforts.
Standard 1 – Foundational Knowledge: [Literacy educators] understand the theoretical and evidence-based foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction.
Extensive knowledge is the foundation of being an effective literacy educator. The knowledge is built on an understanding of the developmental reading processes of students PreK-12 blended with a working knowledge of how to diagnose and remediate effectively for students who fall behind. This knowledge is intended to ensure “ competent performance for the betterment of society.” In the intervention setting, educators facilitate processes that close gaps so students may have every possibility of productive, fulfilling lives.
Standard 2 – Instructional Approaches: [Literacy educators] use instructional approaches, materials, and an integrated, comprehensive, balanced curriculum to support student learning in reading and writing.
The application of Standard 1 happens through data-driven instruction provided by professionals who apply their knowledge of evidence-based strategy instruction through an effective curriculum. Literacy educators understand the conceptual framework of developing effective reading programs or applying the elements of an effective curriculum. In intervention, that implementation requires authentic differentiation based on student needs.
Standard 3 – Assessment and Evaluation: [Literacy educators] use a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading and writing instruction.
Professional literacy educators have a comprehensive knowledge of literacy assessment options and the purposes for each. They demonstrate the skilled use of assessment, the ability to analyze data, and the capacity to communicate findings to stakeholders. Primarily, the literacy educator uses data to inform instruction for the ultimate benefit of students. In intervention, this is how specific needs are determined for striving readers. Limited instructional time must be planned for with intentional focus on a student’s specific assessment data to help a student close the gap as quickly as possible.
Standard 4 – Diversity: [Literacy educators] create and engage their students in literacy practices that develop awareness, understanding, respect, and a valuing of differences in our society.
The interest of an effective literacy educator is to provide students with opportunities to access information and literary experiences that broaden their understanding of the diverse culture in which they contribute and engage. Intervention teachers know that this “broadening of horizons” builds students’ background knowledge, increases their vocabulary, and encourages a curiosity for a world full of opportunity. The hope is that increased exposure and awareness also builds better citizens that appreciate the value of all humans in a global society.
Standard 5 – Literate Environment: [Literacy educators] create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessments.
A strong literacy-rich environment can make good instruction even more effective. In any class, but especially in an intervention classroom with students who have experienced feelings of failure, a safe, low-risk environment with high expectations and highly effective instruction can motivate students to engage and connect to literacy strategies that encourage authentic application of skills. Intervention should allow time and accessibility to resources and more of the opportunities striving readers need. Providing choices for reading and writing based on interest and providing a variety of methods to demonstrate their skills can increase student motivation and self-efficacy while building a more positive self-perception as students enjoy these chances to experience success.
Standard 6 – Professional Learning and Leadership: [Literacy educators] recognize the importance of, demonstrate, and facilitate professional learning and leadership as a career-long effort and responsibility.
Given that literacy is the foundational skill of all learning experiences, literacy professionals are often called upon to share knowledge and support others in the application of effective integration of literacy strategies across disciplines. When done in an effort to build a culture of literacy, it benefits striving readers by supporting needed skills in authentic ways outside a reading intervention setting.