Affordable online master's in reading and literacy programs could spell success for full-time teachers seeking to author effective methods to help struggling readers. Online reading and literacy master's have popped up nationwide to let educators receive state certification endorsement through flexible, virtual 24/7 classrooms. Master's-level literacy specialists can turn a professional page and begin an advanced chapter of their careers with enhanced strategies for teaching phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and reading comprehension. School reading initiatives are prominent since the Children's Literacy Foundation reports that 68 percent of U.S. fourth graders can't read proficiently. These pupils are four times more likely to drop out of high school! Reading Is Fundamental found that 93 million adults read at or below basic levels, making America only the 12th most literate country. Booklovers dedicated to solving this skill-gap epidemic will benefit from master's in reading and literacy online degrees.
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Most Affordable Master's in Reading & Literacy Online
Which Jobs are Available with an Online Master's in Reading and Literacy?
Attending graduate school for two to four years in a reading and literacy master's online program will open teacher-leadership jobs in PreK-12 districts. George Washington University's Face the Facts USA reports that 52 percent of the 3.3 million public and 38 percent of the 400,000 private school teachers hold master's degrees. Getting a master's is actually required in several states for reading education specialization. For instance, the Arizona Board of Education only extends the Reading Endorsement K-8 to teachers with three years of experience and 21+ graduate credits after initial certification. National organizations like the International Dyslexic Association (IDA) also credential master's-level literacy specialists at Level II after passing a 100-question, $270 test. Here are six rewarding jobs where certification plus online reading and literacy master's education is a novel idea:
Certified Reading Specialist- Passing the Praxis 5301 exam after a reading and literacy master's online degree would unlock doors for interventionist roles teaching struggling readers, including English language learners and dyslexic students. Certified Reading Specialists identify at-risk pupils, deliver educational assessments like DIBELS, diagnose learning disabilities, input IEP literacy goals, provide pull-out instruction, and measure reading progress.
Literacy Coach- Implementing International Reading Association (IRA) standards into real-life schoolwide improvements rests on the shoulders of literacy coaches. They use master's in literacy and reading online training to plan language arts curriculum across grades, model good pedagogical methods, provide teacher feedback, identify staff development needs, analyze testing data, review at-risk cases, and publicize the building's literacy programs.
Private Tutor- Labeled America's 61st best job by CNN Money with an "A" for low stress, private tutors are often independent contractors who provide one-on-one academic assistance outside school walls. Earning an online master's in reading and literacy would help tutors analyze English fluency, customize lessons, correct homework, review papers, prepare for tests like the SAT, inform parents of students' progress, and research learning materials.
Resource Teacher- Middle and high schools generally have resource rooms where online master's in reading and literacy graduates could improve the language skills of disabled youth up to age 21. Resource teachers develop appropriate support, plan student outcomes, deliver IEP testing accommodations, teach study tactics, integrate learning technology, keep records of progress, advise faculty on best practices, and become positive role models.
Adult Literacy Educator- The National Literacy Directory currently lists over 7,000 continuing education centers like Onondaga-Cortland BOCES, Brunswick Community College, and Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes with English language programs. Adult literacy educators provide GED or immigrant services, write lessons, assess learning delays, create continuous improvement plans, test proficiency progress, and coordinate library resources.
Instructional Coordinator- Launched in 2009, the Common Core State Standards Initiative outlines K-12 English language arts curriculum guidelines that instructional coordinators use to create districts' content. Master's graduates would evaluate literacy curricula, identify student achievement gaps, design new units, review textbooks, provide best practices literature, assist teachers in content implementation, and suggest new software technologies.
How Much Do Reading and Literacy Master's Online Graduates Make?
Finding a cheap online master's in reading and literacy is smart because the ROI for teachers can be diminutive. The National Education Association reports that educators make roughly half the earnings of comparable private-industry jobs for a mean starting wage of $30,377. Thirty-seven percent of teachers leaving the occupation blame low pay. PayScale reports that reading specialists make between $33,489 and $75,579 for a median yearly wage of $50,277.
Secondary schools provide the biggest mean salary of $61,420 for reading specialists. Literacy coaching jobs in the United States average $69,291. The 147,330 instructional coordinators bring home mean income of $65,500. According to Salary.com, other high-income education averages are $96,950 for teacher consultants, $80,516 for registrars, $94,212 for distance learning directors, and $98,868 for library services managers.
What is the Hiring Outlook for Master's in Reading and Literacy Online Programs?
Business Insider recognized four education majors among the 11 lowest unemployment rates under 4.5 percent. Teaching vacancies are likely after a reading and literacy master's online because baby boomers are retiring and K-12 enrollment will reach 56.5 million by 2025. During this timeframe, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that hiring of elementary and secondary teachers, including reading specialists and resource teachers, will grow by 8 percent. Faster-than-average 10 percent growth is expected for 16,500 more instructional coordinators this decade.
The only projected decline is for adult literacy educators who will see 3,800 jobs taken because of tighter government budgets. Forbes magazine chose Massachusetts, Virginia, Minnesota, New Jersey, and surprisingly Wyoming as the best teacher states. Maximize your location flexibility and tuition dollars by selecting the inexpensive online master's in reading and literacy degrees above.
Additional Sources:
Children's Literacy FoundationReading Is FundamentalCollege NavigatorCAEP
