Reading

These requirements are based on the subject area(s) listed on your certificate, not on the subject and/or grade level you are teaching.

Important Changes: As of January 1, 1999, MSDE implemented the requirement for additional reading course work. This affects all certificate holders who hold or renew a certificate with an issuance date of January 1, 1999 and after.
Requirements Timeline: Teachers needing more than 6 semester hours of reading course work must submit a minimum of 6 semester hours within the first issued or renewed certificate and the remaining 6 semester hours during the second renewal period.
Teachers needing 6 semester hours or less will have one renewal period.
Exemptions: Specialist and administrative areas of certification are not affected by the reading regulation. However, if you hold certification in either a specialist or administrative area AND a teaching area, you must meet the reading requirements OR forfeit the teaching area on your certificate. Guidance Counselors, Reading Teacher/Specialists, Pupil Personnel Workers, Psychometrist, School Psychologists, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Audiologists, and all Non-Instructional Administrators are exempt unless they hold and wish to continue to hold a teaching area on their certificate.
Acceptable Course Work: All reading course work completed as a part of your bachelor's degree program, on the graduate level, or through approved MSDE CPD course work will be considered.

Certification Areas requiring 12 Credits of Reading: EARLY CHILDHOOD, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION teachers at Infant-Grade 3 or Grades 1-8 level:

Processes and Acquisition of Reading Skills
Methods of Reading Instruction
Materials for Teaching Reading
Assessment of Reading Instruction

Certification Areas requiring 6 Credits of Reading: SECONDARY CONTENT AREAS, N-12/K-12, LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST, and SPECIAL EDUCATION K-12, 6-ADULT, SEVERELY AND PROFOUNDLY HANDICAPPED, VISUALLY IMPAIRED, AND HEARING IMPAIRED areas:

Methods of Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area, Part I
Methods of Teaching Reading in the Secondary Content Area, Part II

For more information, visit the MSDE website

Special Education Requirements

Who has to take a special education course?

All teachers, specialists and administrators must complete a 3-credit Special Education course:

Introduction to Special Education
Inclusion, Making it Happen