1. MASTERS DEGREE IN CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

2. WHY CHOOSE TEXAS TECH? Texas Tech graduates develop expertise that prepares them to assume professional leadership roles and provide critical analyses of trends and issues in literacy teaching and learning. Our program is built on the standards of the Language & Literacy profession and the expectations of employers.

3. HOW ARE RED RAIDERS DIFFERENT? Implementation of Trademark Outcomes in the College of Education at Texas Tech University ensures top-notch graduates! Most master’s degree programs produce students who have primarily theoretical knowledge of the field of literacy education. Few programs require master’s students to apply theories of literacy pedagogy to practice in a systematic fashion. Even fewer master’s programs require a level of accountability where students examine the outcome of applying theory to practice for learners. Distinctiveness of the Trademark Outcome

4. BECOME A LITERACY LEADER 36 hours of competency-based coursework in literacy pedagogy and research will prepare you to become a professional leader in a variety of educational settings! ALL CLASSES ARE OFFERED ONLINE

5. TRADEMARK OUTCOMES INCREASING KNOWLEDGE Phase 1 Assess & Identify Graduate students will systematically and formatively assess student learning and instruction that involves the use of research- based principles and methods to identify an area of refinement. Phase 2 Develop & Pilot Through the use of research-based principles and interactions with learners, graduate students will systematically develop and pilot an instructional intervention that addresses a literacy need and evaluate the intervention plan. Phase 3 Implement & Evaluate Through the use of research-based principles and methods, graduate students will systematically implement and evaluate a pedagogical innovation that solves an instructional problem in a real- world setting. Building Theoretical Knowledge About Teaching Literacy

6. The Language & Literacy program at Texas Tech aligns with these standards. ALIGNMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL READING ASSOCIATION STANDARDS The IRA has defined performance-based standards that essentially define “best practice” for reading/literacy master’s degree programs. IRA Standards for Reading Professionals: (1) Foundational Knowledge Candidates understand the theoretical and evidence-based foundations of reading and writing processes and instruction. (2) Curriculum & Instruction Candidates use instructional approaches, materials, and an integrated, comprehensive, balanced curriculum to support student learning in reading and writing (3) Assessment & Evaluation Candidates use a variety of assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading and writing instruction. (4) Diversity Candidates create and engage their students in literacy practices that develop awareness, understanding, respect, and a valuing of differences in our society. (5) Literate Environment Candidates create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing by integrating foundational knowledge, instructional practices, approaches and methods, curriculum materials, and the appropriate use of assessments. (6) Professional Learning and Leadership Candidates recognize the importance of, demonstrate, and facilitate professional learning and leadership as a career-long effort and responsibility.

7. Within these areas of emphasis, our students are presented with research-based teaching methods that are changing learning environments and encouraging students to take intellectual risks. Emergent and Early Literacy Elementary Intermediate Literacy Adolescent Literacy Developmental Literacy BiliteracyBilingual/ESL AREAS OF EMPHASIS

8. ADVANCED CERTIFICATIONS STAND OUT FROM OTHER GRADUATES by pursuing an advanced certification while you obtain your master’s degree!

9. FACULTY Our faculty in the Language & Literacy program possess a wide variety of professional backgrounds and bring their particular expertise to our Language & Literacy students. Faculty have won several awards for teaching excellence, have published widely in the field, and have extensive experience working in real world classroom settings.

10. BECOME A RED RAIDER Visit the Language & Literacy Website http://www.educ.ttu.edu/academic-programs/curriculum-and- instruction/language-diversity-and-literacy-studies/default For more information contact Dr. Melinee Lesley melinee.lesley@ttu.edu or (806) 834-1186 APPLY TODAY to become part of our Language & Literacy program and become an effective literacy instructor for a diverse population of learners!