K-12 Reading Endorsement

Welcome! Polk State College is offering affordable online Reading Endorsement Competency courses approved by Just Read, Florida! The online courses are offered in cohort groups.

Each professional development reading course is eight weeks in length. The curriculum addresses the six competencies needed for the Reading Endorsement. Polk State College’s online courses provide learner-centered teaching and an online supportive learning environment.

The College’s goal is to assure that every person completing the reading competency courses will acquire knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes necessary for success in teaching reading to students in the K-12 schools.

The courses offer flexibility to work at your convenience during the week, but assignments and discussions will have specific due dates.

Explore the tabs below for additional information

How to Begin

How to Begin

After exploring the Reading Endorsement website and links, do the following:

Print out and save the course schedule from the website. You will need the reference# to register.
Complete the Application/Registration process.
Apply as a non-credit student.
Contact Maria Vallejo mvallejo@polk.edu in the EPI office to let her know you have applied and registered for a reading competency course.
Textbook for Competencies 1- 6 will be “Diagnostic Literacy Assessments & Instruction” by McAndrews, cost $44.95.This textbook can be obtained through the PSC Bookstore in Winter Haven and Lakeland campus. To purchase the textbook online go to www.efollet.com, answer the questions under US Colleges and Universities, be sure to select the campus, then press submit. Once in the PSC bookstore, select textbooks and course materials, select your department (EPR), select the competency 1 and press submit. If you have any trouble purchasing the textbook contact the PSC Bookstore directly at 863-299-3325.
The textbook can also be purchased from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble online from $32.00 - $40.27.
Go to the Polk State College homepage at www.polk.edu and select the “PAL” link across the green navigation bar at the top.
Select “PAL Student Orientation” in the first paragraph text section of the PAL homepage. You will have a brief online orientation and learn how to log onto the Reading Endorsement course website. The online course website will be available one week before each course.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the EPI office.

“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
- Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

Application/Registration

Application/Registration

Follow the link below for step-by-step instructions for the Application/Registration Process for Reading Endorsement Courses.

Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions

EPR 0001 Foundations of Language and Cognition
This course provides a study of language structure, function, and cognition for each of the five major components of the reading process. This professional development course allows students to meet the requirements for Competency 1, Foundations of Language and Cognition, of the Reading Endorsement Add-On Certification Program.

EPR 0002 Foundations of Research-Based Practices in Reading
This course provides a survey of scientifically-based reading research as the foundation of comprehensive instruction. The principles of this research synchronize and scaffold the material in each of the major components of the reading process toward mastery. This professional development course meets the requirements for Competency 2, Foundations of Research-Based Practices in Reading, of the Reading Endorsement Add-On Certification Program.

EPR 0003 Applied Data Analysis for Principals and Teachers
This course provides a study of the role of assessments in guiding reading instruction and instructional decision making when gauging the reading progress of struggling readers. This professional development course meets the requirement for Competency 3, Foundations of Assessment, of the Reading Endorsement Add-On Certification Program.

EPR 0004 Foundations of Differentiation
Corequisite: EPR 0005
This course provides a study of the varying strategies that are successful with students from differing instructional profiles, including students with disabilities and students from diverse populations. This professional development course meets the requirements for Competency 4, Foundations in Differentiation, of the Reading Endorsement Add-On Certification Program. This course must be taken simultaneously with Application of Differentiated Instruction (EPR 0005).

EPR 0005 Application of Differentiated Instruction
Corequisite: EPR 0004
This course provides a study of the application of strategies for students from differing instructional profiles, including students with disabilities and students from diverse populations. This professional development course meets the requirements for Competency 5, Application of Differentiated Instruction, of the Reading Endorsement Add-On Certification Program. This course must be taken simultaneously with Foundations of Differentiation (EPR 0004).

EPR 0006 Demonstration of Accomplishment
This course applies skills and information regarding reading development to reading instruction. The course discusses strategies and assessments that provide evidence for increased student reading proficiency in struggling students, including students with disabilities and students from diverse populations. This professional development course meets the requirements for Competency 6, Demonstration of Accomplishment, of the Reading Endorsement Add-On Certification Program.

Course Schedule/Cost

Schedule/Cost
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Follow the link below for the schedule and cost of the Reading Endorsement Courses.

Just Read, Florida!

Just Read, Florida!

Just Read, Florida! is the statewide reading initiative that prioritizes reading in Florida's public schools and among all the community groups and volunteer organizations that support them.
Click on the link to explore the Just Read, Florida! website.

Contact Us

Contact Us

Educator Preparation Institute Staff

Beverly Woolery Director 863-292-3642 bwoolery@polk.edu
Sherri Davis Program Specialist 863-298-6812 sherrid@polk.edu
Maria Vallejo Administrative Assistant 863-297-1010 ext 5298 mvallejo@polk.edu