K-5 Literacy Endorsement

1. The Arizona legislature has recently passed a law requiring teachers to have a K-5 Literacy Endorsement. This requires literacy teachers in grades K-5 setting to participate in additional training in reading instruction and intervention and a passing score on the Foundations of Reading Assessment by Pearson. 

• Legislation: A.R.S §15-501.1 K-5 Endorsement - Full text of bill

1. A.R.S. §15-501.1 Establishes a literacy endorsement as a requirement for teachers who provide literacy instruction in kindergarten through grade five. Under the rules adopted by the Board to conform with this statute, the Literacy, K-5 endorsement requires:

2. Endorsement requirements

1. Part A: EDU 268 SCIENCE OF READING (3 CREDITS) Three semester hours of college coursework in the science of reading instruction, including systematic phonics instruction.
2. Part B: EDU 267 READING INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICE,INTERVENTIONS & ASSESSMENTS (3 CREDITS) Fulfills Part B: Three semester hours of college coursework in reading instruction, including assessments, instructional practices, and interventions to improve student reading proficiency for struggling readers, including students with characteristics of dyslexia.
3. Pearsons Foundations of Reading Exam 
   1. Pre-Service teachers will have until 2025 to secure the endorsement, while certificated in-service educators have until 2028 to complete the requirements.
   2. Teachers who already have a reading endorsement listed on their certificate are exempt from these requirements as the reading endorsement has several more requirements.

3. Teachers who complete the Paradise Valley ADE-approved endorsement work: EDU268 Science of Reading (Part A), and EDU287 Reading Instructional Practice, Interventions & Assessments (Part B) satisfy the coursework requirements for the K-5 Literacy Endorsement for Arizona. 

K-5 Literacy Endorsement courses at Paradise Valley Community College are created for current classroom teachers in Arizona and are approved by the Arizona Department of Education. 

• EDU 267 and EDU 268 are hybrid courses offered in-person or LIVE ONLINE in 8-week and 4-week formats. 
• Course schedules and modalities are dependent on enrollment. Courses require that the student attend class during the designated times (in-person or virtually) and complete additional work outside of class. 
• Courses are engaging and offer a deeper dive into best practices. Content will apply to your teaching environment and will promote strategies that can be implemented in your current classroom with ease. 
• EDU 267 and EDU 268 are college courses and follow the policies of the College for enrollment, completion, and drop dates. 
• Time commitment:  Each course will require 45 clock hours to meet the Arizona State requirements. Hours will be met through class time, and outside coursework including readings, discussions, assignments, and classroom application.