Graduate Reading Program: Reading Specialist
The Western Illinois University Reading Specialist Program is offered at three locations: main campus in
Macomb, Quad Cities campus, and in Springfield, Illinois. All courses on each campus are taught by full-time
faculty with Ph.D. or Ed.D. degrees.
Data is presented to demonstrate candidates’ content knowledge, their ability to impact student learning, and
their ability to facilitate professional development for colleagues in their schools.
Assessment of Content Knowledge
Assessment 2 Data Charts: Course Exams
DN=Does Not Meet
M=Meets
ADV=Meets at Advanced Level
1.1 Refer to major theories in the foundational areas as they
Component
Campus
relate to reading. Explain, compare, contrast, and critique the
Psych. Theories (#1)
Macomb
theories.
Quad
Cities
Springfield
Sociological theories
(#2)
Macomb
Quad
Cities
Springfield
Linguistic theories
(#3)
Macomb
Quad
Cities
Springfield
1.2 Summarize seminal reading studies and articulate how these
studies impacted reading instruction. Recount historical
developments in the history of reading.
Component
Reading studies (#4)
Campus
Macomb
Quad
Cities
Springfield
History of reading
(#5)
Macomb
Quad
Cities
Springfield
1.3 Identify, explain, compare, and contrast the theories and
research in the areas of language development and learning to
read.
Component
Language
development (#6)
Campus
Macomb
Quad
Cities
Springfield
Variations in
development (#7)
Macomb
Quad
Cities
Springfield
1.4 Are able to determine if students are appropriately
integrating the components (phonemic awareness, word
Component
Campus
Semester
Spr 10
Spr 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Spr 10
Spr 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Spr 10
Spr 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
# of
cand.
16
10
24
14
16
19
16
10
24
14
16
19
16
10
24
14
16
19
Semester
Spr 10
Spr 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Spr 10
Spr 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
# of
cand.
16
10
24
14
16
19
16
10
24
14
16
19
Semester
Spr 10
Spr 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Spr 10
Spr 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
Fall 09
Fall 08
# of
cand.
16
10
24
14
16
19
16
10
24
14
16
19
Semester
# of
DN
13%
6%
19%
13%
8%
5%
DN
M
50%
20%
29%
14%
38%
47%
50%
10%
8%
7%
31%
58%
10%
38%
21%
50%
53%
58%
21%
25%
68%
ADV
19%
90%
71%
79%
56%
32%
38%
100%
42%
79%
75%
32%
DN
M
38%
10%
38%
71%
13%
58%
31%
10%
33%
71%
44%
53%
ADV
63%
90%
63%
29%
88%
42%
69%
90%
67%
29%
56%
47%
DN
M
ADV
4%
19%
M
81%
10%
25%
21%
44%
68%
44%
ADV
50%
80%
58%
86%
63%
47%
31%
90%
79%
93%
69%
42%
100%
90%
54%
79%
50%
42%
identification and phonics, vocabulary and background
knowledge, fluency, comprehension strategies, and motivation)
in fluent reading.
Integrating
components (#8)
Macomb
Quad
Cities
Springfield
3.1 Compare and contrast, use, interpret, and recommend a wide
range of assessment tools and practices. Demonstrate
appropriate use of assessments in their practice, and they can
train classroom teachers to administer and interpret these
assessments.
Component
Compare/contrast
assessments (#9)
Campus
Macomb
Quad
Cities
Springfield
Technical adequacy
(#10)
Macomb
Quad
Cities
Springfield
3.2 Support teachers in the assessment of individual students.
Extend the assessment to determine proficiencies and difficulties
for appropriate services.
Component
Referrals (#11)
Campus
Macomb
Quad
Cities
Springfield
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 08
cand.
12
12
28
25
19
16
Semester
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 08
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 08
# of
cand.
12
12
28
25
19
16
12
12
28
25
19
16
Semester
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 08
# of
cand.
12
12
28
25
19
16
8%
8%
29%
32%
37%
81%
92%
92%
64%
68%
63%
19%
DN
M
8%
11%
43%
32%
16%
75%
8%
18%
13%
43%
44%
32%
56%
ADV
92%
100%
46%
68%
84%
25%
92%
100%
39%
56%
68%
31%
DN
M
7%
4%
6%
8%
54%
48%
16%
69%
ADV
100%
92%
43%
52%
84%
25%
Assessment of Candidates’ Ability to Impact Student Learning
2.2 Support teachers and
paraprofessionals in the use
of a range of instructional
practices, approaches, and
methods, including
technology-based practices.
Help teachers select options
and explain the evidencebase for selecting practices
that meet the needs of all
students. Demonstrate the
options in their own (and
demonstration) teaching
K-6 RDG 587
Instruction reflected long
term goals
Campus
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Used evidence based
practices
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
7-12 RDG 589
Instruction reflected long
term goals
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Used evidence based
practices
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
3.1 Compare and contrast,
use, interpret, and
recommend a wide range of
K-6 RDG 587
Component
Formative Assessments
Campus
Macomb
Semester
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
# of cand.
7
12
21
10
8
11
7
12
21
10
8
11
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
10
10
12
4
7
10
10
12
4
7
Semester
Spr 10
Fall 09
# of cand.
7
12
DN
25%
10%
25%
M
71%
33%
38%
20%
13%
45%
29%
50%
43%
13%
9%
20%
50%
17%
50%
43%
30%
8%
25%
57%
DN
M
57%
100%
ADV
29%
42%
52%
80%
88%
55%
71%
25%
57%
100%
88%
91%
80%
50%
83%
50%
57%
70%
100%
92%
75%
43%
ADV
43%
assessment tools and
practices. Demonstrate
appropriate use of
assessments in their practice,
and train teachers to
administer and interpret these
assessments.
reflect goals
Quad Cities
Springfield
Formative assessments
informed inst.
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Used data to document
learning.
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
7-12 RDG 589
Formative Assessments
reflect goals
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Formative assessments
informed inst.
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Used data to document
learning.
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
3.2 Support classroom
teacher in the assessment of
individual students. They
extend the assessment to
further determine
proficiencies and difficulties
for appropriate services
K-6 RDG 587
Component
Appropriate preassessments
Campus
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Attitude/interest assessment
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Analyzes pre-assessments
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
7-12 RDG 589
Appropriate preassessments
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Attitude/interest assessment
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Analyzes pre-assessments
Macomb
Quad Cities
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
21
10
8
11
7
12
21
10
8
11
7
12
21
10
8
11
5%
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
10
10
12
4
7
10
10
12
4
7
10
10
12
4
7
10%
Semester
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
# of cand.
7
12
21
10
8
11
7
12
21
10
8
11
7
12
21
10
8
11
DN
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 10
10
10
12
4
7
10
10
12
4
7
10
10
38%
10%
50%
5%
43%
100%
48%
10%
63%
5%
29%
100%
38%
30%
50%
8%
10%
10%
5%
5%
48%
90%
38%
100%
71%
57%
70%
50%
100%
40%
30%
25%
50%
71%
50%
30%
33%
75%
71%
50%
10%
33%
50%
29%
50%
70%
67%
50%
29%
40%
70%
67%
25%
29%
40%
90%
67%
50%
71%
M
14%
100%
62%
ADV
86%
38%
45%
14%
100%
48%
30%
75%
55%
14%
92%
38%
40%
75%
55%
30%
10%
57%
90%
50%
100%
57%
17%
50%
57%
60%
10%
33%
50%
29%
50%
10%
38%
100%
63%
55%
86%
48%
70%
25%
45%
86%
8%
57%
60%
25%
45%
70%
100%
83%
50%
43%
40%
90%
67%
50%
71%
40%
90%
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
12
4
7
Semester
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
# of cand.
7
12
21
10
8
11
7
12
21
10
8
11
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
10
10
12
4
7
10
10
12
4
7
Campus
Semester
# of cand.
Macomb
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
7
12
21
10
8
11
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
10
10
12
4
7
Campus
Semester
# of cand.
Macomb
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Fall 09
Spr 09
7
12
21
10
8
11
Spr 10
Spr 10
Fall 09
Spr 10
Fall 09
10
10
12
4
7
Springfield
3.3 Assist teachers in using
assessment to plan
instruction for all students
and struggling readers.
Collaborate with ed.
professionals to implement
instruction for individual
students. Collect, analyze,
and use school-wide
assessment data to
implement and revise school
reading programs.
K-6 RDG 587
Component
Uses learner’s
characteristics
Campus
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Goals reflect assessment
data
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
7-12 RDG 589
Uses learner’s
characteristics
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Goals reflect assessment
data
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
3.4 Communicate assessment
information to various
audiences for both
accountability and
instructional purposes
(policymakers, public
officials, community
members, clinical specialists,
school psychologists, social
workers, classroom teachers,
and parents.)
Component
K-6 RDG 587
Communicate assessment
results
Quad Cities
Springfield
7-12 RDG 589
Communicate assessment
results
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
5.3 Positively and
constructively evaluate their
own or others’ teaching
practices. Assist teachers and
paraprofessionals as they
strive to improve their
practice.
Component
K-6 RDG 587
Practices & student
learning
Quad Cities
Springfield
7-12 RDG 589
Practices & student
learning
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
DN
25%
100%
57%
75%
M
29%
92%
67%
ADV
71%
8%
33%
100%
75%
100%
29%
42%
43%
90%
50%
82%
25%
5%
71%
58%
52%
10%
50%
18%
43%
30%
10%
8%
100%
57%
20%
40%
17%
50%
43%
70%
90%
92%
DN
M
ADV
5%
29%
75%
52%
20%
13%
71%
25%
43%
80%
88%
100%
30%
20%
8%
100%
71%
70%
80%
92%
DN
M
ADV
25%
57%
50%
43%
25%
100%
57%
88%
82%
38%
13%
18%
30%
8%
100%
29%
43%
80%
60%
83%
50%
57%
29%
70%
100%
92%
71%
Ability to Facilitate Professional Development
RDG 588
5.1 Articulate the theories
related to the connections
between teacher dispositions
and student achievement.
Component
Disposition – effective
teachers
Campus
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Research –
dispositions/achievement
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
5.2 Conduct professional study
groups for paraprofessionals
and teachers. Assist classroom
teachers and paraprofessionals
in identifying, planning, and
implementing personal
professional development
plans. Advocate to advance the
professional research base to
expand knowledge-based
practices.
Component
Assist teacher in planning
professional development
Campus
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Efforts to become a
literacy leader
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Future goals as a literacy
leader
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Planned Prof. Develop
Presentation
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Implemented – Prof. Dev.
Present
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Evaluate Prof. Dev.
programs
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
5.3 Positively and
constructively provide an
evaluation of their own or
others’ teaching practices.
Assist classroom teachers and
paraprofessionals as they strive
to improve their practice.
Component
Evaluate practice – action
research
Campus
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Semester
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
# of cand.
10
38
26
14
14
10
10
38
26
14
14
10
Semester
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
# of cand.
10
38
26
14
14
10
10
38
26
14
14
10
10
38
26
14
14
10
10
38
26
14
14
10
10
38
26
14
14
10
10
not
26
14
14
10
Semester
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
# of cand.
10
not
26
14
14
10
DN
7%
10%
7%
DN
7%
7%
available
DN
available
M
80%
8%
65%
36%
64%
50%
70%
8%
69%
50%
64%
80%
E
20%
92%
35%
57%
36%
50%
20%
92%
31%
43%
36%
20%
M
70%
5%
69%
86%
64%
60%
50%
11%
58%
50%
50%
50%
50%
11%
58%
86%
57%
90%
70%
46%
50%
21%
60%
70%
5%
46%
50%
21%
60%
70%
E
30%
95%
31%
14%
36%
40%
50%
89%
42%
50%
50%
50%
50%
89%
42%
14%
43%
10%
30%
100%
54%
43%
79%
40%
30%
95%
54%
43%
79%
40%
30%
46%
57%
21%
70%
54%
43%
79%
30%
M
70%
E
30%
69%
57%
50%
40%
31%
43%
50%
60%
5.4 Exhibit leadership skills in
professional development. They
plan, implement, and evaluate
professional development
efforts at the grade, school,
district, and/or state level. They
are cognizant of and can
describe the characteristics of
sound professional
development programs. They
can articulate the evidence base
that grounds their practice.
Component
Characteristics – prof.
development
Campus
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Research – prof.
development
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Grant proposal
Macomb
Quad Cities
Springfield
Semester
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 08
Spr 07
Spr 10
Spr 09
Spr 10
Spr 09
# of cand.
10
38
26
14
14
10
10
38
26
14
14
10
10
38
26
14
14
10
DN
10%
7%
3
M
80%
16%
69%
79%
36%
60%
70%
13%
69%
79%
50%
60%
50%
16%
46%
71%
36%
80%
E
20%
84%
31%
21%
64%
40%
20%
87%
31%
14%
50%
40%
50%
81%
54%
29%
64%
20%