What our graduates say about the CAGS Program

"I have had a wonderful experience as a student in the CAGS program at Plymouth. Each course provided an opportunity to collaborate with other New Hampshire educators to have substantive discussions about educational issues related to my work. The intellectual stimulation, class of different ideas and natural networking among colleagues was the kind of experience I wanted when I applied to the program - and got as a student! Thank you, Plymouth."

Reading and Writing Specialist
Professional Certification option

Program Coordinator: Edith Patridge, e-mail: epatridge@plymouth.edu

The Reading and Writing Specialist program is based on a broad foundation of courses and experiences in a comprehensive and balanced approach to literacy learning and development. The program is aimed at helping K–12 classroom teachers, special educators, Title I personnel, literacy coaches, curriculum coordinators, adult literacy teachers, educators, and administrators provide the highest quality literacy instruction to all students in today's diverse classrooms. The program of study builds on candidates' preparation and experience in reading and writing while addressing standards from the International Reading Association and the NH Department of Education. This advanced specialist program requires that candidates be certified as a teacher and have a minimum of two years of teaching experience before completion of the program.

The coursework emphasizes concepts based on the roles of the reading and writing specialist in the areas of instruction, assessment and leadership. Reading and writing specialists provide service through many roles, including remedial teacher, co-teaching with the regular classroom teacher, professional development provider, literacy coach, Title I coordinator, and mentor. Newly graduated reading and writing professionals in this program will have the opportunity to develop the competencies in providing leadership for school, district, and state-level literacy programs, assessing and evaluating reading achievement and literacy programs, and communicating information about literacy to staff, administration, parents, and the community.

Candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skills in five categories of standards outlined by the International Reading Association, including: foundational knowledge; instructional practices and materials; assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation; literate environment; and professional development.

Required Courses

CAGS Core Component
EP 7020 Collaborative Leadership - 3 credits
EP 7040 Planning in Education and Human Services - 3 credits
EP 7050 Qualitative Methodology and Applied Research - 3 credits
EP 7060 Legal Issues in Policy Making - 3 credits
EP 7070 Contemporary Social Trends - 3 credits
EP 7030 Transforming the Educational Agenda - 3 credits

Specialization Component
RL 5110 Research in Reading and Writing - 3 credits
ED 5060 Theories of Learning and Cognitive Development - 3 credits
- OR -
ND 5000 Foundations of Neurodevelopmental Theory - 3 credits
RL 5770 Developing Language and Literacy for Diverse Learners - 3 credits
RL 5170 Content Area Literacy - 3 credits
RL 5014 Reading, Writing, and Literature - 3 credits
RL 5710 Advanced Diagnostic Testing and the Improvement of Reading and Writing - 3 credits
CE 5120 Integration of Technology in the K-12 Curriculum - 3 credits
- OR -
CE 5150 Making Multimedia Meaningful - 3 credits
LL 5004 Language and Linguistics * - 3 credits

Capstone Experience
RL 5820 Literacy Practicum - 3 credits
RL 5830 Practicum in Reading Diagnosis and Remedial Reading - 3 credits

Total for CAGS in Educational Leadership, Reading and Writing Specialist Strand – K–12 Certification - 48 credits

* Approved substitutions: LL 5005 Language Teaching Methods, LL 5007 ESOL Literacy, or NHEON LT-05, or LT-06, or LT-07.