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University of Colorado Denver’s literacy education online master’s + reading specialist endorsement program has earned national recognition from the International Literacy Association (ILA). The award speaks volumes about the dedication, innovation, and outstanding curriculum design work accomplished by CU Denver’s Literacy Education team members Lori Elliott, Erica Holyoke, Lucinda Soltero-González, and Sarah Woodard who have strived to enhance and grow the fully online program in recent years.

“This honor demonstrates our program’s alignment with ILA and the Colorado Department of Education’s rigorous standards for preparing literacy professionals who excel in diverse classrooms as reading specialists, literacy coaches, and classroom leaders,” said Lucinda Soltero-González, program leader for CU Denver’s Responsive Literacy Education program.

Literacy Education offerings include:

• MA in Literacy Education (fully online)
• MA in Literacy Education + Reading Specialist endorsement
• MA in Literacy Education, concentration in English education
• MA in Teaching, with English education license
• Graduate certificates: Digital Teacher Librarian, Early Literacy, Literacy and Language Development for Diverse Learners
• Endorsement: Teacher Librarian

“Because the program is fully online and the CU Denver’s School of Education & Human Development is reasonably priced and highly ranked by U.S. News and World Report, our literacy education students come from all over the U.S. and countries such as Japan, Egypt, China, and Spain,” said Sarah Woodard, senior instructor in Literacy Education.

This recognition is the first step in a two-phase process. The first step involved: 1.) a mapping process of curriculum standards and pedagogical stances that the program wanted to achieve, 2.) course and performance-based assessment changes that need to be made, and 3.) the writing of a 30-page report plus exhibits that anchors the current research of faculty members with ILA-aligned curriculum. “The process generated important department conversations as we aligned not just individual classes and assignments, but our program philosophies around anti-bias education and culturally and linguistically sustaining pedagogy,” said Erica Holyoke, assistant professor in Literacy Education. ILA reviewers gave glowing reports on the program’s refreshing and innovative work, including Dr. Holyoke’s research connecting joy and literacy education. As a next step, CU Denver will pursue ILA’s national recognition with distinction. This will involve a site visit, interviews with student focus groups and meetings with university leaders.

 “Our sense of pride in the literacy professionals we prepare is immense,” said Lori Elliott, associate teaching professor and former program leader. “Being recognized by the International Literacy Association really shines a light on how well we collaborate as a faculty team, the strength of our new curriculum, and the impact of our faculty research and teaching.”

Learn more, sign up for an information session, and apply to the program.