Welcome to Elementary Language Arts
Overview
Our mission is to enable all Utah students to become proficient in the area of literacy for the purposes of reaching their individual potential and becoming successful citizens in today's world.
Utah Core Standards
The Utah State Board of Education approved new P-12 English Language Arts Standards in April of 2023. These standards identify the essential literacy skills in speaking & listening, reading, and writing.
Utah State Standards for P-12 English Language Arts
English Language Arts Standards Resources
English Language Arts Standards-Digitized
Google Docs
English Language Arts Standards - Elementary (P-5) Best Practices
Educator Endorsements
Applications Effective July 1, 2021
Literacy Specialist K-12 Endorsement
Literacy Specialist K-12 Endorsment SPECS
Utah State Board of Education Educator Licensing
Applications Retiring June 30, 2023
Reading Endorsement Level 1 (Retiring) | Reading Endorsement Level 2 (Retiring) | Reading Interventionist Endorsement (Retiring)
Utah State Board of Education Educator Licensing
Learning Opportunities for Teachers
Reading
There are many quality programs in the state that offer the required courses. The following contact list is not comprehensive but you can e-mail the contact person to ask about their availability of classes, schedule, etc.
Sylvia Read
Utah State University (USU)
Dr. Jan Dole
University of Utah
John Allen
Utah Valley University (UVU)
Dr. Kristi Jones
Westminster College
Resources
Northeastern Utah Educational Services (NUES)
Southwest Educational Development Center (SEDC)
Level 1
The Utah Reading Endorsement offers practicing elementary and secondary teachers an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills in the area of literacy. The purpose of this program is to strengthen reading achievement of Utah's school children by providing their teachers with the strategies, processes, and structures for augmenting classroom reading instruction in grades K-12.
The Level 1 Reading Endorsement requires a passing score on a Praxis content knowledge test and seven (7) graduate-level courses taken within the last eight (8) years.
Courses
The following seven course frameworks demonstrate the depth and breadth of the expected curriculum within a course meeting that requirement. Reading endorsement courses are aligned to Utah's instructional goals and Core Standards as well as to the International Literacy Association (ILA) Standards.
Note: All course frameworks updated in 2015-2016.
- Foundations of Literacy Instruction: Theories and Models
- Reading and Writing Across the Disciplines
- Reading Assessment and Instructional Interventions
- K-12 Literacy Practices and Processes: Instructional Implications
- Reading Comprehension Instruction
- Writing Instruction
- Instruction with Literature and Informational Texts for Children and Young Adults
If you are an institution that would like to demonstrate your alignment to the Utah Level 1 Reading Endorsement Frameworks, please submit the following via e-mail to the K-12 Literacy Coordinator, Sara Wiebke.
- Contact information for the person submitting the information.
- Official university course description, including course level designation.
- Current syllabus for the course being taught.
- Written summary of the alignment between the Utah Framework and the proposed class, including documentation or artifacts as needed.
- List of instructors for the course and current curriculum vita (Utah requires a minimum of a Master's degree and Level 2 reading endorsement for course instructors).
Level 2
Teachers who have obtained a Level I Endorsement and who want to work as school- or district-level literacy coaches will want to complete the Level 2 Endorsement. This endorsement provides a systems-level perspective on literacy instruction and program design and will deepen the candidate's knowledge of literacy instruction and implementation.
Courses
The following course frameworks demonstrate the depth and breadth of the expected curriculum within a course meeting that requirement. Reading endorsement courses are aligned to Utah's instructional goals and Core Standards as well as to the International Reading Association Standards.
Note: Course frameworks updated in 2015-2016.
International Literacy Association (ILA)
Reading Interventionist Endorsement
The purpose of the Reading Interventionist Endorsement is to provide educators with academic and field-based opportunities to learn best practices for meeting the instructional needs of students who a struggling to learn to read. The nine credit endorsement will focus on Tier II and Tier III instructional methods, strategies, assessment, and curricula that improve student outcomes. The Level I Reading Endorsement is a prerequisite to earning this endorsement.
Course Framework
Tier II Small Group Reading Intervention Clinical Practicum
Tier III Reading Intervention Clinical Practicum
For vendors interested in applying to become an approved vendor for either Tier II or Tier II intervention programs, please review and submit the application below. The program must meet the requirements describe in the application to become qualified.
Vendor Application
Tier II Small Group Intervention Practicum
Tier III Reading Intervention Practicum
Course Offerings
The University of Utah is currently offering the Tier II and Tier III courses for the endorsement. If you are interested, please contact:
Tier II
Julie Jaussi
Tier III
Wilson Language Training
University of Utah Reading Clinic (UURC)
Meetings
2023-2024
State Literacy Directors
Location: USBE Basement West and Virtual
Time: 9 a.m. - Noon
Dates:
- September 14, 2023
- November 20, 2023
- January 25, 2024
- March 19, 2024
- September 11, 2024
- November 12, 2024
Resources
Early Learning Program
Early Learning Program Technical Manual
The purpose of the Early Learning Program is to improve the Early Literacy and Early Mathematics classroom instruction and student outcomes in kindergarten through grade 3. The Early Learning Program establishes an Early Learning Plan that includes early literacy, early mathematics, goals, and the Professional Learning Grant. This document is a resource for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) (Districts and Charters) to use to guide them in completing their Early Learning Plan.
Elementary Literacy Framework
2023 Utah's K-12 Literacy Framework
Utah's K-12 Literacy Framework translates the research findings into advice and guidance to provide Educators with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to meet the instructional needs of all students in reading, writing, and listening and speaking. The purpose of the framework is to support districts, charters, and schools in evaluating, refining, and monitoring the essential systems, structures, and literacy practices necessary to achieve greater outcomes in the area of literacy for students in elementary grades.
The Elementary Literacy Framework integrates five key elements that support literacy outcomes:
- Element 1: Instructional Leadership
- Element 2: Instruction and Intervention
- Element 3: Assessment and Feedback
- Element 4: Professional Learning
- Element 5: Supportive Culture
Utah's Science of Reading (SOR) Expert Panel
As legislated in the 2022 Legislative Session, Utah has created an expert panel to support the Science of Reading (SOR). The expert panelists have deep knowledge and a research background in the science of reading and the science of reading instruction as well as practical experience translating the science of reading into effective reading instructional practices.
Current SOR Panel Members
Core-Aligned Writing Resources
Achieve the Core
A national organization that has assembled a variety of resources to help support
the shifts in instruction required in implementing the Core. They have complied an
extensive selection of materials on writing that include samples of student writing
with annotations to show how various Core Standards are met. Student samples are shown
as they were transcribed, annotated with comments, and corrected for spelling and
grammar for use as examples with students.
Other Resources
Utah State Board of Education Dyslexia Handbook
Special Education Effective Instruction and Inclusion Resources
The Dyslexia Handbook offers guidance, resources, and appropriate supports and interventions for readers with dyslexia. It is also a communication tool for teachers and parents to work together. Our hope is that both educators and parents will use the ideas and techniques in the handbook as a team. It is vitally important that struggling readers not give up on themselves; it is just as important that we as educators and parents assist and empower students with dyslexia to enter the world of reading feeling empowered and prepared for their future.
Julie Clark
Coordinator
Phone: (801) 538-7661 | E-mail
To Be Hired
Education Specialist
K-3 Literacy
Phone: (801) 538-7661 | E-mail
Christine Elegante
Education Specialist
K-3 Literacy
Phone: (801) 538-7782 | E-mail
Krista Hotelling
Education Specialist
K-3 Literacy
Phone: (801) 538-7794 | E-mail
Charla Lucero
Executive Secretary
Elementary Language Arts
Phone: (801) 538-7546 | E-mail