On June 8th, 2017, the Illinois State Board of Education hosted the Reading Teacher/Specialist Stakeholder Group meeting. Professionals and experts from the field joined together to begin the first of four meetings this summer in which licensure requirements will be re-examined for the Reading Teacher and Reading Specialist endorsement. Included on the team of experts are professors and directors in Reading Specialist programs from a variety of Illinois institutions, reading teachers in Illinois public schools, educational therapists specializing in dyslexia, and superintendents. At this first meeting, members discussed major components of the reading specialist programs in Illinois. In addition, several issues were reviewed and suggestions made, such as changing the term from “reading specialist” to “literacy specialist,” including dyslexia and other processing disorders to coursework requirements, advanced learners and diverse learners, and a general overview of current requirements, national standards, and ideas for change to meet student needs.
Three more meetings will take place over the next three months in which the conversation and review will continue until a final recommendation from the members is submitted to ISBE for possible implementation.