Reading Specialist candidates are required to write a literature review paper in APA style. This
literature review paper begins with the candidate’s survey bibliography of 50 or more abstracts
related to language development, learning to read, and connections between teacher dispositions
and student achievement. Then, candidates self-select a specific area of reading instruction and
write a paper in which they critically analyze and synthesize the literature. A minimum of 10
selected references from the candidates’ survey bibliography must be cited to support the critical
analysis of literature. They must also relate theories in foundational areas and seminal reading
studies to their topic. Criteria and IRA Standards are given in the Scoring Guide.
Scoring Guide - Literature Review Paper
Unacceptable
Minimal Achievement
Acceptable
Good Achievement
Target
Exceptional Achievement
Topic lacks focus
Topic is focused
Topic is focused and clearly stated
Selection of research studies:
• Fewer than half of the references
were studies, not articles
• Fewer than 10 references selected
from a larger array of work
• Few or no studies were of high
quality
• Studies represented narrow
range of perspectives on topic
Critical analysis:
• Results of studies are not
organized in a logical, focused
manner
• Results of studies are minimally
discussed through a critical lens
Related to theories(1.1):
• Theory(ies) in foundational
areas are not related to the topic
Related to seminal research
studies(1.2):
• No seminal research study is
cited and discussed as it relates to
the topic (if applicable)
Selection of research studies:
• 10 references selected from a
larger array of work
• Most references were studies, not
articles
• Some studies were of high quality
• Studies represented adequate
range of perspectives on topic
Critical analysis:
• Results of studies are somewhat
organized in a logical, focused
manner
• Results of studies are somewhat
discussed through a critical lens
Related to theories(1.1):
• Theory(ies) in foundational
areas are related to the topic
Related to seminal research
studies(1.2):
• At least one seminal research
study is cited and discussed as it
relates to the topic (if applicable)
Conclusion:
• Does not synthesize the major
findings of the studies
• Few or no recommendations
for further research are appropriate
Conclusion:
• Somewhat synthesizes the
major findings of the studies
• Some recommendations for
further research are appropriate
Writing Conventions: limited
control of grammar, mechanics,
spelling, usage, and sentence
formation
• Inconsistent use of APA Style
Writing Conventions: sufficient
control of grammar, mechanics,
spelling, usage, and sentence
formation
• Adequate use of APA style
Selection of research studies(1.1):
• 10 or more references selected
from a larger array of work
• All references were studies, not
articles
• Most studies were of high quality
• Studies represented inclusive
range of perspectives on topic
Critical analysis (1.3):
• Results of studies are organized
in a logical, focused manner
• Results of studies are
effectively discussed through a
critical lens
Related to theories(1.1):
• Theory(ies) in foundational
areas are clearly related to the topic
Related to seminal research
studies(1.2):
• At least one seminal research
study is cited and clearly discussed
as it relates to the topic (if
applicable)
Conclusion( 1.1, 1.2, 1.3):
• Effectively synthesizes the
major findings of the studies
• Most recommendations for
further research are appropriate
Writing Conventions:
• Evident control of grammar,
mechanics, spelling, usage, and
sentence formation
• Consistent use of APA style