Indiana Wesleyan to offer literacy-based programs
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Indiana Wesleyan University this fall will offer two new online programs in the Science of Reading and literacy instruction for educators.
Beginning Oct. 15, the university will offer both a graduate certificate and a master’s degree designed specifically for experienced teachers or instructional coaches who want to specialize in teaching literacy through Science of Reading principles.
Science of Reading principles emphasize phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
Education, business and government leaders have been emphasizing the Science of Reading in an effort to improve literacy rates among Hoosier third graders that have declined since the pandemic.
A law signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2023 requires schools to adopt a curriculum that is aligned with Science of Reading practices. Earlier this year, the University of Southern Indiana opened a new literacy center to help prepare its teaching graduates, Inside INdiana Business reported. Grace College and Manchester University opened similar labs, as well.
The Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. has earmarked up to $25 million to help support such initiatives.
At Indiana Wesleyan, the master’s program will consist of 10 courses over 20 consecutive months, and the certificate program will consist of four courses over eight months, the university said. The aim is to allow educators to pursue a role as a literacy coach or reading specialist in an early childhood, elementary or special-education setting.