Frequently Asked Questions

Phonics Requirement

I heard there was a law that requires phonics be taken before a teacher's license can be renewed. How does that law affect teachers who already have years of teaching experience?

The provision in law, implemented July 1, 1998, does require that any applicant for a license to teach reading or language arts in PK-5 must have successfully completed instruction that prepares him or her to teach reading and language arts using appropriate instructional methods, including phonics. "Phonics" means teaching reading using the phonetic value of letters, letter groups and syllables. If the requirement applies to your license, you can provide the information with your next renewal application. Complete the section on the application form that asks you to indicate whether or not a course taken, at any time in the past, fulfills the requirement. If you have never taken any course that includes training in teaching reading using phonics, then such training must be completed before the license can be renewed.

I am about to renew my PK-6 license. Is there a specific phonics credit requirement that needs to be filled? I completed the necessary 6 credits for renewal but heard that there is some required phonics work also. What is required?

The phonics requirement applies to teachers of reading in elementary grades PK-5. When you apply for renewal, you just have to indicate on the application form (in the section provided) whether any reading or language arts course in your background had phonics within its content. You do not need to take a new course unless you have never had any training whatsoever in phonics. There is no stipulation as to how recently the course was taken or for how many credits.

My license (808 and 108) is up for renewal and I have a question about the phonics requirement on the license application form. Do the reading courses I took as part of my undergraduate program meet that requirement or do I need additional coursework?

The phonics requirement is very flexible. It is met by any reading or language arts course ever completed that had phonics content (defined to be teaching reading using the phonetic value of letters, letter groups and syllables). It does not matter when, or for how many credits, the class was.

I have a grades 1 - 8 license but am teaching only grades 6 - 8. Do I need to meet the phonics requirement when I renew my license?

Yes, you will need to meet the requirement to renew the grades 1- 8 license. If you are teaching only grades 6 - 8 and do not want to meet the phonics requirement, you must formally request decertification of your grades 1-5 licensure when you apply for renewal.

I have taken several Reading and Language Arts classes both as a graduate student and as an undergraduate student. Which transcripts should I submit, graduate or undergraduate, to complete the Phonics section for renewal of my license?

Transcripts or course descriptions are not required for the phonics requirement. Simply indicate, directly on the application form, that one of your reading/language arts courses had some phonics within its content.

I will be reactivating my 300 Secondary English License and was certified for 6-12th grade. I've heard that I now need Phonics to teach 6th grade even though I don't teach reading. Is that true?

You do not need to take a phonics course. Phonics is only required for individuals who have reading or elementary grade licenses for grades K-5. Since your license is for grades 6-12, you do not need to meet the phonics requirement.

Do individuals applying for certificates 825 and 826 (itinerant teacher of the visually impaired) need to complete or demonstrate that they have taken phonics instruction coursework?

No, you do not need to declare a phonics course for special education.

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If you have further questions about the phonics requirement, direct them to: Educator Licensing.

Last updated on 3/3/2008 9:31:46 AM