POSITION STATEMENT ON LITERACY COACHES

Connecticut Reading Association (CRA)

Connecticut Association for Reading Research (CARR)

March 2, 2005

We urge the Connecticut State Department of Education to put into practice the recommendation of the International Reading Association (IRA) that individuals filling the role of “literacy coach” must obtain endorsement as a reading specialist within three years of taking the position of literacy coach if they do not already have that endorsement.  Attached is IRA’s position statement, The Role and Qualifications of the Reading Coach in the United States,” delineating requirements for literacy coaching.

Further, we urge the Connecticut State Department of Education in issuing new Regulations to have one endorsement only for the reading specialist; i.e., that of reading/language arts consultant.  We would like to have representation from our Boards of Directors on any committee developing new Regulations in order to move our state forward in reading achievement.

We have viewed with concern the proliferation of “literacy coaches” in Connecticut’s districts, since many of these coaches do not have endorsement as either a remedial reading/language arts teacher (102) or reading/language arts consultant (097).  Moreover, the assignment code of 151 Content Coach – Literacy K-8 allows districts to fill the position of literacy coach with individuals who have only classroom teacher endorsements for the grade levels they coach.  These practices are detrimental to children who are learning to read.  The children need to have qualified personnel delivering reading instruction, and classroom teachers need guidance from a certified reading specialist.

The importance of delivering high-quality instruction in reading to all students cannot be overstressed since reading affects all content areas.  The process of reading is a complex one and requires much in-depth knowledge which is gained through extensive graduate coursework and experience.  According to Connecticut’s present Regulations, the reading/language arts consultant endorsement is required for anyone whose function is to “assist classroom teachers, other teachers of reading and other school personnel in improving instruction in reading and language arts, including direct instruction to students.”  Clearly literacy coaches are functioning in this role and therefore they must be certified reading specialists.  We reiterate our request that literacy coaches meet the guidelines for coaches set by the International Reading Association.  Those standards are listed in their position statement on literacy coaches attached to this document.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Connecticut Reading Association

Connecticut Association for Reading Research