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Find the best route to literacy success

Navigating the diverse literacy needs of K-12 students in BC is a continuous journey. This program is your trustworthy GPS, guiding you towards strategies to help you recalculate routes when students need alternative paths, and keeping the destination of literacy success clear and achievable. Discover ways to identify challenges early and apply effective interventions to ensure students get equitable learning opportunities. By acquiring practical assessment tools and intervention strategies designed for BC’s classrooms, you'll gain the confidence and direction to improve literacy instruction for all learners.

Start your literacy learning journey today, so every child can reach their destination.

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Description

Courses and fees

Application information

Questions?

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Program at a glance

Program description

“Literacy is a fundamental human right and the foundation for lifelong learning” —UNESCO

All K-12 educators play an important role in ensuring that every student receives comprehensive, evidence-aligned instruction and targeted interventions as necessary. This ensures they develop the skills required to effectively understand, critically analyze, and create various forms of communication. This new professional learning program will help K-12 teachers and support staff to build the knowledge, tools and strategies needed to support the diverse literacy needs of all students with responsive, tiered interventions. 

Designed for BC teachers working in K-12 classrooms or learning support settings, the Micro-certificate in Evidence-Aligned Literacy Practices (EALP) includes two required, non-credit asynchronous online courses. Although the courses can be taken in any order, we recommend starting with Principles of Response to Intervention and Systematic Assessment, where you’ll learn about reliable measures and literacy assessment systems that can be used to reduce bias and make data-informed decisions about responsive instruction and/or appropriate interventions for your students.

You can then build on this foundational knowledge with the Evidence-Aligned Literacy Instruction and Intervention course to learn about various approaches to comprehensive, evidence-aligned reading and writing instruction, and intervention, while considering the foundational role of oral language.

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Online Flexibility
This program is delivered online, allowing you to work independently within deadlines set by your instructor. With this format, you don't have to worry about travel or scheduling conflicts while you study. You can work at your own pace, on your own schedule and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Credibility
The University of Victoria is one of Canada's leading universities, recognized for preparing students for careers in a wide range of disciplines. Upon successful completion of this program you will receive a micro-certificate
Instructor icon
Teaching Talent
Our instructors are industry professionals with years of experience. They’re dedicated to helping you develop the knowledge and skills to realize your full potential.
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Networking Opportunities
Collaborate with, learn from and find support in a network of professional colleagues who are as passionate about adult education and lifelong learning as you are.

Program partners

The University of Victoria logo

Faculty of Education

Saanich School District Logo

Saanich School District (SD63)

Sooke School District Logo

Sooke School District (SD62)

Victoria School District (SD61)

Program outcomes

After completing the Micro-certificate in Evidence-Aligned Literacy Practices, you will be able to:

  • facilitate systems of literacy assessment that reduce bias and increase equitable access to service for students at risk for, or currently experiencing, difficulties with literacy
  • apply knowledge of current literacy research to select and implement reliable measures for K-12 universal screening
  •  analyze results from a variety of K-12 literacy assessments, including screening measures and diagnostic tools to inform next steps in assessment, instruction and/or intervention
  • develop culturally responsive resources and instructional routines for comprehensive classroom literacy instruction, as well as targeted interventions for students at-risk for, or currently experiencing, literacy difficulties
  • use a variety of assessments for and of learning in reading, writing and spelling to drive responsive instruction and monitor/report on progress
  • evaluate and recommend resources for reading and writing assessment, instruction and intervention that align with current literacy research

Who is this program for?

This micro-certificate program appeals to K-12 educators in British Columbia who are committed to advancing literacy outcomes for all students and are interested in learning more about: universal screening, comprehensive literacy instruction, and tiered interventions for students at risk or currently experiencing difficulties.

If you see yourself reflected in any of the following, this program could be a good match:

Career and education

  • you work in public, private, or independent schools as a classroom teacher, learning resource teacher, or literacy specialist
  • you have a Bachelor of Education degree, possibly with additional qualifications
  • your experience ranges from early career stage (two to five years) to an experienced educator (15+ years)

Work environment

  • you have direct engagement with diverse student populations with varying literacy needs 
  • you balance time constraints between assessment, instruction and intervention
  • you navigate new provincial literacy initiatives and expectations
  • you facilitate literacy assessment, instruction, and/or intervention alongside other subject areas in a busy classroom
  • you operate in schools that may have limited resources for literacy assessments or Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI)
  • you operate in schools that may have limited professional learning opportunities or resources for literacy assessment, instruction and/or intervention

Career growth and aspirations

  • you aim to enhance your professional credibility and expertise in literacy education
  • you seek to become a more effective educator for students with literacy challenges
  • you aspire to potentially take on leadership roles in literacy instruction
  • you desire to contribute meaningfully to school-wide literacy improvement initiatives

Motivations

  • you want to gain confidence in identifying and supporting students with diverse literacy needs 
  • you are driven by a commitment to educational equity and inclusion
  • you feel frustrated when unable to effectively help struggling readers and writers
  • you recognize the critical importance of literacy as a foundation for all learning
  • you want practical solutions to implement immediately in your classroom

Career options

Some of our learners pursue careers in the following roles:
  1. K-12 Classroom Teacher
  2. Learning Resource Teacher
  3. Literacy Specialist

Instructors

News and resources

READ ARTICLE: B.C. takes action to improve literacy for students

MORE RESOURCES: Teacher Professional Development

Courses and fees

Apply online
Apply now
= Courses open for registration

Two (2) required courses

Program planning

Principles of Response to Intervention and Systematic Assessment will be offered in the fall term and Evidence-Aligned Literacy Instruction and Intervention will be offered in the winter term.

Estimated fees

Description Fee
Evidence-Aligned Literacy Instruction and Intervention $640.00
Principles of Response to Intervention and Systematic Assessment $640.00
Program fee $20.00
Estimated Total $1,300.00*
*IMPORTANT NOTE:
Fees listed in this section are an estimate. Total program fees may vary depending on delivery format, course selections, student fees, textbooks and taxes.

Application information

Admission requirements

This program is designed for BC teachers qualified to teach in K-12 classrooms. Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree or its equivalent in education (or teaching-related discipline).

We are open to learners with a variety of educational or professional backgrounds. Our expectation is that you have a commitment to learn and achieve your continuing education goals. If you do not meet the admission requirements listed, we still strongly encourage you to contact us to discuss options.

How to apply

Submit a Continuing Studies online application and then register for individual courses on the Continuing Studies website.

There is no cost to apply. You do not need to apply for admission to the University of Victoria in order to register for courses in the EALP program.

However, when registering into a course, you will have the option to purchase the Micro-certificate in Evidence-Aligned Literacy Practices fee at an additional cost of $20. You are only required to select this when registering for one of the two courses.

All students enrolled in micro-credential programs will automatically be opted-in to receiving a digital credential through Accredible upon completion of their program. Please visit our digital credentials page for more information. To opt-out of receiving a digital credential through Accredible, please email uvcsreg@uvic.ca 

Questions?

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RELATED TOPICS: Teacher Professional Development

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