Elementary Education

The Reading and Literacy Added Authorization (RLAA) authorizes the holder to assess student reading and provide reading instruction in response to those assessments. RLAA holders are also authorized to develop, implement, and adapt the reading content curriculum and assist classroom teachers in these areas. Holders of the RLAA are authorized to perform the following duties at the school site level (at one or more school sites) at the grade levels authorized by their prerequisite teaching credential:

• Provide direct reading intervention to students and adapt instructional practices and strategies to provide direct specialized reading instruction to students with severe reading difficulties including monitoring and adjusting intervention instruction.
• Participate in the adoption of literacy curricula, facilitate and monitor implementation of adopted curricula, and support and assist teachers in the use of literacy curricula.
• Select and administer ongoing formal and informal diagnostic assessments of students’ progress, report results, assist teachers in modifying instructional practices, and use the results for student placement in and exit from reading intervention programs.
• Interpret results of school-wide reading assessment data to monitor student progress and identify modification of instructional practices and strategies to assist teachers.
• Develop, implement and adapt reading and literacy instructional materials, technologies, and strategies in alignment with students’ assessed reading and literacy needs including the prevention and intervention of reading difficulties; and assist teachers in ensuring that the full range of students develops proficiency.
• Assist students’ and teachers’ use of information and communication technologies and the development of digital literacy skills.

Note: RLAA coursework is a subset of the coursework required for the Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential (RLLSC). By taking an additional 15 units (five courses) within 5 years of earning the RLAA, RLAA holders may earn the RLLSC. See the catalog page for the RLLSC for these additional requirements.

A. Required Prior to Admission

1. RLAA program application.
2. University application through Cal State Apply.
3. Department application.
4. Transcripts (official copy of transcripts showing a baccalaureate degree and all post-B.A. coursework).
5. Overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75.
6. Preliminary Teaching Credential.
7. Verification of at least 1 year of full-time teaching experience as the Teacher of Record in any grade, preschool through adult, exclusive of student teaching, internship teaching or teaching while holding an emergency permit.

B. Required for Reading and Literacy Added Authorization (14 units)

C. Required for RLAA Recommendation

1. Completion of RLAA coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
2. Three years of full-time teaching experience as the Teacher of Record in any grade, preschool through adult, exclusive of student teaching, internship teaching or teaching while holding an emergency permit.
3. Coursework may be completed prior to three years of full-time teaching experience; certificate recommendation is withheld until both requirements are met.