Who is required to be Reading Endorsed?

• Any K-12 teacher, including ESE and ESOL, who:
  • Provides intensive reading intervention (i.e., MTSS Tier 3)
  • Teach 6-12 grade Reading classes.
  • Teaches reading to retained 3^rd graders, including summer camp students.
• Literacy Coaches
• District personnel who supervise or direct teacher preparation students during internships will be required to have a certificate or endorsement in reading if:
  • Internship takes place in a kindergarten through grade 3 setting.
  • Teacher preparation candidate is enrolled in any of the following programs:
    • Elementary Education (grades K-6)
    • Prekindergarten-Primary Education (Age 3 through grade 3)
    •  Middle Grades English (grades 5-9)
    • English (grades 6-12)
    • Reading (grades K-12)
    • Reading (endorsement)
    • English to Speakers of Other Languages (grades K-12)

Routes to the Reading Endorsement

Option 1: There are five courses required for the Reading Endorsement.

Each course is grounded in research that addresses the six components of reading as a process:

1. Phonological Awareness
2. Phonics
3. Fluency
4. Oral Language
5. Vocabulary
6. Comprehension

The courses also include the application of research-based reading assessment, reading instruction, and the application and foundations of differentiation.

Option 1:

• The Schultz Center (register through PLN)
• Courses are offered in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer.
• After completing your course, the instructor will receive a list of completed participants and will update PLN to reflect the credit.  This can take up to two weeks after the closing date of the course.
• Please read through the course notes before registering:
• This is a self-paced course run through Blackboard Learning.
• You cannot sign up for more than two Schultz Reading Competency courses per cohort.
• You will receive an email from your instructor the day before the start of the course with information.
• If you drop the course, you will be responsible for paying for the course the next time you enroll. 

• Pinellas County Teachers Association (register through PLN)
• This class is offered by PCTA-PESPA. Members of either organization attend free. The cost for non-members is $250 and must be paid by the second day of the course. Non-members can elect to join the union (if eligible) by submitting the required online material, including confirmation of e-dues being set up.
• You must attend ALL 4 sessions AND complete the outside assignments (with membership and/or payment) to receive credit.
• If you have any questions, contact PCTA-PESPA. 

Option 2:  Complete any state approved university Reading Endorsement Program

After completing the requirements to earn a reading endorsement, log into your FLDOE account and complete the District Add Endorsement Application.