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The Literacy Coach Certificate is also referred to as the Partners in Comprehensive Literacy (PCL) program.
The Partners in Comprehensive Literacy (PCL) is a research-based companion program to the Comprehensive Intervention Model (CIM). PCL is a systemic school improvement model based on the principles of apprenticeship learning. Inherent to the model is the coaching and mentoring feature. The series of courses for Literacy Coach Certificate are designed to prepare individuals for supporting accountability with a school-wide assessment system using multiple ways for evaluating student achievement; providing embedded professional development for teachers; assisting with the development of a well-designed school-wide literacy plan; and with assisting teachers to expand their knowledge and expertise particularly in providing differentiated classroom instruction.
With the growing need to support classroom teachers serving diverse populations, there is an increased demand for embedded professional development as well as coaching and mentoring within school settings. Thus the demand for school-based literacy coaches has increased over the past few years. Also, teachers serving as literacy coaches desire to further develop their knowledge and expertise to increase their effectiveness as an instructional facilitator/coach.
The certificate program focuses on specialized coursework for preparing teachers to serve as highly qualified teachers/coaches equipped to collaborate across classrooms, with school administrators, parents and community representatives in order to improve student achievement.
The Literacy Coach/Instructional Facilitator certificate program is an 18-hour program of study designed for students who already have a master’s degree or a minimum of 9 hours of appropriate reading coursework, and are seeking specialized training as an Instructional Facilitator/Literacy Coach. The training is restricted to candidates employed as a literacy coach in a school setting.
The admission requirements for the Literacy Coach Certificate program follow the same standards for admission to a non-degree graduate program. A Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a grade point average of no less than 2.50 (4.0 scale). In addition, the candidate must have a valid teaching license (Georgia or other state); a master’s degree or a minimum of 9 hours of appropriate reading coursework; and be employed as a literacy coach in a school setting.
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