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// TEXAS READING ACADEMIES
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Requirements for the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) certification exam and Reading Academies were established in 2019 by the 86th Texas Legislature with the passage of House Bill 3 (HB 3). Reading Academies and the STR certification exam are different requirements that complement each other.

The STR certification exam demonstrates a beginning teacher’s proficiency in the science of teaching reading. Reading Academies is an 11-month professional development program that continues learning and builds on knowledge of the STR in a school context. Together, these programs provide teachers with the foundational knowledge to teach reading and writing and to effectively apply that knowledge in a classroom setting.
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Need Help?
Alyson Earhart
Education Specialist

P: (806)281-5877
E: aearhart@esc17.net
Academy content wheel
  • Introduction, Overview, Scope, and Sequence 
  • Science of Teaching Reading
  • Establishing a Literacy Community
  • Using Assessment Data to Inform Instruction
  • Oral Language (English and Spanish)
  • Phonological Awareness (English and Spanish)
  • Alphabet Knowledge, Print Concepts, and Handwriting
  • Decoding, Encoding, and Word Study (English and Spanish)
  • Reading Fluency
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Composition (English and Spanish)
  • Tiered Supports and Reading Difficulties 

ELAR Pathway

Builds content knowledge in STR and the aligned evidence-based instructional practices that impact a student’s literacy achievement within the English language. This pathway also supports students learning English as a second language. May be led by a certified ELAR or biliteracy cohort leader.

 

Biliteracy Pathway

Builds teacher knowledge and skills on STR for Spanish-English bilingual classrooms. Participants master Spanish and English evidenced-based literacy pedagogy, cross-linguistic connections, and knowledge to support student literacy achievement in both languages. This path supports all four Texas Bilingual Education models. May only be led by a certified biliteracy cohort leader.

 

Administrator Pathway

This pathway is for campus or district administrators only. Builds content knowledge and skills in STR by using information from the ELAR and Biliteracy pathways filtered through a campus leader’s lens. Participants complete differentiated artifacts focused on identifying campus-level patterns and applying data-driven instructional change using Reading Academies concepts. May be led by a certified ELAR or biliteracy cohort leader. 

 

Science of Teaching Reading (STR) Pathway

This pathway is for teachers who have successfully passed the Science of Teaching Reading exam and have earned their STR certification. It allows STR-certified teachers to complete a shorter version of the Reading Academies. Participants will need to provide proof that they have passed the STR exam to their district and Authorized Provider before enrollment. 

Texas Reading Academy Project Manager
Michelle Hilton
Coordinator, Teaching & Learning

EM: mhilton@esc17.net
PN: (806) 281-5842
Texas Reading Academy Lead
Alyson Earhart
EM: aearhart@esc17.net 
PN: (806) 281-5877
Texas Teacher Reading Academy Cohort Leader
Cynthia Hobbs
EM: chobbs@esc17.net
PN: (806) 281-5840
Texas Teacher Reading Academy Cohort Leader
Lori Pittman
EM: lpittman@esc17.net
PN: (806) 281-5832
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