Frequently Asked Questions - Reading Teachers and Reading Specialists

1. Who is required to hold a Reading Teacher and Reading Specialist License?
   
   Any person who has a specific assignment to teach reading shall hold a reading teacher license. A reading specialist license is required for any person who directs early childhood through adolescence reading programs or works with reading teachers, classroom teachers, administrators, and others as a resource teacher in reading.
   
   
2. After completing my original teacher training program in 2003, I am now completing a reading teacher and reading specialist program this year. What licenses will I be issued?
   
   A Professional Educator License as a Reading Teacher (teaching category/license code 316) and an Initial Educator License as a Reading Specialist (administrative category/license code 17).
   
   
3. I hold a Professional Educator License as a Reading Teacher and an Initial Educator License as a Reading Specialist. I am employed as a reading teacher. What do I need to do to renew/keep both licenses?
   
   If you completed your original teacher training program prior to 8/31/2004, you may renew your Professional Educator License as a Reading Teacher by completing six semester credits or a Professional Development Plan (PDP). If, however, you completed your original teacher training program after 8/31/2004, you are required to complete a PDP to renew your Reading Teacher license. Regardless of whether you are required to complete a PDP to renew your Reading Teacher license, you may request re-issuance of your Initial Educator License as a Reading Specialist since you have not had the opportunity to be employed as a reading specialist.
   
   
4. I hold an Initial Educator License as a Reading Specialist and am employed as a reading specialist under a teacher contract. What do I need to do to advance to a Professional Educator License as a Reading Specialist?
   
   The Reading Specialist License is a license in the administrator license category in Chapter PI 34 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. Although employed under a teaching contract, you need to complete a PDP that addresses two or more of the Wisconsin administrator standards. Your PDP Team responsible for approving your PDP goal(s) and verifying completion of the PDP would indicate an administrator designated by your school district, an administrator selected by you as a peer, and a representative from an institution of higher education. Completion of the PDP, as verified by the PDP Team, and three years of successful experience as a Reading Specialist will meet requirements to advance to the Professional Educator License as Reading Specialist.
   
   
5. What are the job responsibilities of a reading specialist?
   
   Per s.118.015(3), Wis. Stats., a reading specialist shall: develop and implement a reading curriculum in grades kindergarten to 12, act as a resource person to classroom teachers to implement the reading curriculum, work with administrators to support and implement the reading curriculum, conduct an annual evaluation of the reading curriculum, and coordinate the reading curriculum with other reading programs and other support services within the school district.
   
   

For questions about this information, contact Mark A. Schwingle (608) 266-1633

Last updated on 1/14/2009 2:42:35 PM