Two programs in the University of Central Arkansas College of Education have received accreditation from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and its affiliate, the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), for having met the standards outlined in IDA’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.
The Bachelor of Science in Education in elementary education and Master of Science in Education in reading have been accredited.
“Our faculty in both [the departments of] Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education and Teaching and Learning worked last summer to revise the curriculum and embed all IDA standards in our undergraduate elementary education and graduate master’s in reading programs,” said Victoria Groves-Scott, dean of the College of Education. “This accomplishment speaks to the quality of our faculty and their commitment to meeting the needs of children in the state of Arkansas.”
This was the third round of university reviews by IDA, which conducts the process every two years. UCA was one of nine universities to receive accreditation during this round of reviews.
The IDA Standards provide a framework for course content in university and other teacher preparation programs, offering the most thorough, research-supported documentation of what every teacher ought to know and be able to demonstrate, whether they are teaching dyslexic students, other struggling readers or the general student population.
“These programs are providing the kind of thorough, evidence-based preparation that is needed for educators to teach reading and writing very successfully to diverse groups of students, including those with dyslexia and other reading difficulties,” said Louise Spear-Swerling, Ph.D., vice president of the CERI Board of Directors and area coordinator for the Graduate Program in Learning Disabilities at Southern Connecticut State University.
IDA began reviewing university reading programs in 2012, resulting in the accreditation of nine programs that year, followed by eight more in 2014. A complete list of accredited programs can be found on IDA’s website at www.eida.org.
About the International Dyslexia Association
The International Dyslexia Association is a non-profit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia as well as related language-based learning differences. The IDA operates 43 branches throughout the United States and Canada and has global partners in 20 countries, including Australia, Brazil, England, Germany, Ireland, and Japan. For additional information please visit www.eida.org.
About The Center for Effective Reading Instruction
The Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) seeks to further evidence-based approaches to reading and learning so that all students acquire the highest levels of literacy and thrive. CERI fulfills its mission by offering certification to teachers and reading interventionists that affirms their knowledge and skills in teaching literacy using a structured approach to language. CERI also accredits university and independent training programs that provide teacher preparation in structured literacy and language. CERI operates as an independent subsidiary of the International Dyslexia Association. For additional information please visit https://effectivereading.org.
