Literacy is a core value embedded in societies and relates to academic performance, professional career and citizenship. At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) we support educators who strive to make a difference in their learners’ lives and future careers. Thus, we work with educators and administrators to enhance their understanding on how reading and writing develop, and on ways to support learners from the initial stages of reading, spelling, writing, and thinking acquisition to later stages of critical thinking through technology, writing, while promoting self-regulation, motivation, and a growth mindset.
| Core Courses | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| REED 529 | Assessment and Instruction with Emergent Learners PreK-2 (3 hours) | Assessment and Instruction, theory and practice in emergent literacy. Focus on the development of early reading and writing, on assessment, and differentiated, evidence-based instruction of learners from preschool through second grade.
Artifact: Diagnostic Assessment Report and Case study (K to 2) |
| REED 537 | Assessment and Instruction with Elementary Learners (3-5) (3 hours) | Assessment purposes, Pedagogy, and Instruction in grades 3 to 5. Focus on assessment and instruction of advanced decoding, spelling, writing, and reading comprehension for elementary learners in grades 3 to 5.
Artifact: Diagnostic Assessment Report and Case study (3 to 5) |
| REED 540 | Literacy Assessment & Instruction with Adolescent Learners (6-12) (3 hours) | Methods of teaching all secondary students to successfully engage in literacy processes.
Artifact: Unit Plan |
| SPED 516 | Effective Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities and Other Academic Difficulties (3 hours) | Determining and implementing best practices in assessment and instruction, both remediation and accommodation strategies, for students with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and other academic difficulties. Understanding and applying high-leverage evidence-based practices, strategy-based instruction, assessment, and progress monitoring, and data-based decision-making.
Artifact: Program Plan |
| REED 605 | Transforming, Supporting, and Coaching for Effective Literacy Instruction (3 hours) | Analyzing school literacy needs, developing effective professional development, and coaching adult learners.
Artifacts: Needs Assessment, Professional Development Plan, and Coaching |
Clinical Experiences
A key component of all teacher preparation programs is clinical experiences, which involve the time a candidate spends in real-world classrooms and educational settings. The Bailey Graduation School of Education (BGSE) is committed to providing diverse experiences for Literacy Specialists in Pre-K-12 schools.
Clinical experiences provided by the LSP pathway include LSP Clinical Practice. The following is a breakdown of these components and the expectation of the LSP.
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You will need to conduct the observations necessary to complete the Practicum Experiences forms during your plan time and/or other times that you do not have student supervision duties. If you encounter difficulty, please contact your UTK advisor for assistance.
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You must complete all practicum experiences by the end of the LSP program. Plan accordingly.
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Ask your school administrators for suggestions about classrooms you should observe in order to complete these Practicum Experiences. Create a plan of classroom observations that will benefit your development as a Literacy Specialist.
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Gain permission to observe from the classroom teacher prior to showing up to observe their class. This is common teaching courtesy.
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Be an unobtrusive presence in the classroom if you are observing.
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Thank the classroom teacher who allowed you to observe their class or work with their student.
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Remember to enter your reflection into HAL using the form located on Canvas Catalog.
Literacy education faculty host free virtual literacy series (#UTLitSeries)! Sessions occur once a Month and have a one-hour duration. Topics address literacy development and instruction (e.g., phonological awareness components with practices, oral language). Be sure to check out our social media pages for more information on topics and faculty hosts. All sessions are offered via Zoom, and are open to educators, parents, and policymakers. You may also access previous recordings at
Contact Information
If you have questions about the program or the course of study, please contact: Zoi A. Traga Philippakos at zphilipp@utk.edu
A222 Jane & David Bailey Education Complex
1126 Volunteer BoulevardKnoxville, TN 37996
Phone: 865-974-1920
