Who

• Teachers who teach summer reading camps for third grade students scoring Level 1 on state standardized assessment of ELA (s.1008.25, F.S.)
• Teachers instructing retained third grade students (s.1008.25, F.S.)
• Teachers providing Tier 3 reading intervention must possess a literacy micro-credential or be endorsed or certified in reading (Rule 6A-6.053, F.A.C.)
• Literacy coaches must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and be endorsed, or K-12 certified in the area of reading (Rule 6A-6.053, F.A.C.)
• School district personnel and instructional personnel who supervise teacher candidates during internship in grades K-3 or who are enrolled in a teacher preparation program for certification in these coverage areas (s.1012.585(3)(f), F.S., Rule 6A-4.0051, F.A.C.)

College Coursework or Professional Learning
There are four pathways to get the reading endorsement:

• Fifteen (15) semester hours in reading coursework based upon scientifically-based reading research with a focus on both the prevention and remediation of reading difficulties from an approved college or university program. Rule 6A-4.292
• Certification in reading from an accredited institution. Rule 6A-4.292
• Completion of an approved district add-on reading endorsement program.
• Completion of an approved certificate from a program offered by an internationally-recognized organization known for establishing standards for evidence-based interventions for struggling readers. Rule 6A-4.292

6A-6.053 K-12 Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan.
Intensive reading interventions must be delivered by instructional personnel who are certified or endorsed in reading or who possess the elementary or secondary literacy micro-credential. For instructional personnel who possess the literacy micro-credential and provide intensive reading interventions, supervision must be provided by an individual certified or endorsed in reading.

1011.62(9) Florida Statute requires that beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, intensive reading interventions must be delivered by a teacher who is certified or endorsed in reading. Thus, only the teacher who is delivering the intensive reading interventions will need to be certified or endorsed in reading.

• requires the Florida Department of Education (DOE), as part of its review of certain certification and endorsement requirements, to consider awarding a reading endorsement to teachers who are certified by an internationally-recognized reading intervention organization or who have completed a program accredited by the organization; and
• requires school districts to provide teachers access to training for a reading endorsement consistent with the DOE’s review of endorsement requirements.

1008.25(8) Florida Statute requires that 3rd grade retained students must be provided evidence-based reading interventions grounded in the science of reading delivered by a teacher who is certified or endorsed in reading and is rated highly effective as determined by the teacher’s performance evaluation under s.1012.34, F.S.

Statute and Rule Language Links

Rule 6A4.0292 Specialization for the Reading Endorsement
Rule 6A-4.0291 Specialization Requirements for Certification in Reading (Grades K-12)-Academic Class
Rule 6A-4.0163 Florida Administrative Code Amendment 

s.1008.25, Instructing 3rd Grade Retained Students

To determine needed coursework, see instructions on how to complete a Transcript Review. All competency classes, regardless of provider, are 60 hours. Competencies 1 through 5 must be complete prior to applying to add the reading endorsement to your professional certificate.
If a registration link does not populate a course, it could be because the course is already in progress, or the registration date for the course has already passed.

Created in partnership with the Florida Department of Education and the Division of Early Learning, the UF Lastinger Center for Learning’s Flamingo Literacy Micro-Credentials are available at no cost to Florida instructional personnel to create accessible and on-demand reading professional development. Teachers providing Tier 3 reading intervention must possess a literacy micro-credential or be endorsed or certified in reading (Rule 6A-6.053, F.A.C.).

The Flamingo Literacy Micro-Credentials are a hybrid model of online modules, instructor-supported online courses, and job-embedded practicum. To enroll in the course, please register online through the UF Lastinger Center for Learning.

The Florida Department of Education reviews transcripts for the Reading Endorsement, NOT the SDMC Certification team. Teachers must apply online at https://flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart/login.do, submit their Addition of Subject to Educator Professional Certificate, and pay the fee. DOE will then review their transcript for Reading.

FLDOE Online Application Directions
1. Login to https://flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart/login.do
2. Navigate to "Quick Start Menu" and select "Manage your License Information".
3. Select "Addition of Subject to Educator Professional Certificate".
4. Complete the rest of the questions about you and your license.
5. Affiliate yourself with "Manatee". SDMC cannot see your application if you do not affiliate. If you do not see a location to affiliate, it means you are already affiliated with a school district. You can skip this step.
6. Pay the fee online.

Official Statement of Status of Eligibility Notes
• The approximate wait time to receive your FL DOE Official Statement of Status of Eligibility is 4-6 weeks. This statement will give you what specific credits are needed for your current license to receive your Reading Endorsement.
• After you receive your statement of eligibility (SOE) and need any help to decipher which competencies you need, please email your statement to the Professional Learning department at profdvt@manateeschools.net.
• You may start your competency courses prior to your statement, but you may not know exactly which competency you are required to take. Your specific license and courses will determine which competencies you will need for your endorsement.

What is the difference between Reading Endorsement and Reading Certification?
An endorsement is a “rider” on top of a valid Florida teaching certificate with another subject coverage and denotes expertise in an instructional level or methodology. An endorsement cannot stand alone on a certificate. Certification stands on its own. The criteria for both are determined by the state of Florida. The Reading Endorsement does not require a Subject Area Exam, whereas Reading Certification does.

Does a teacher with a master’s degree in Reading need to earn the Reading Endorsement?
No, a teacher does not need both. A teacher either needs to be reading endorsed or reading certified. A master’s degree in reading meets all the state’s requirements to teach reading. To be compliant with state mandates, Reading Endorsement or Reading Certification must be added to the teacher’s Florida teaching certificate.

Where do I start with my Reading Endorsement questions and courses?
To determine if any of your college/university courses will count toward your endorsement, you can apply to the Florida Department of Education to receive an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility.

Does every teacher (math, social studies, P.E., music, etc.) of a retained third grade student need to be certified or endorsed in reading?
Florida Statute 1011.62(9) (c)7.(d)1. requires that, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, intensive reading interventions must be delivered by a teacher who is certified or endorsed in reading. Thus, only the teacher who is delivering the intensive reading interventions will need to be certified or endorsed in reading.

Whom do I ask if I have specific questions regarding certification, competency pathways, or determining whether coursework completed in college will be sufficient?
For certification related questions, email certification@manateeschools.net. For Reading endorsement competency pathway questions, email the Professional Learning department at profdvt@manateeschools.net.

May teachers who are not certified or endorsed in reading provide intensive reading interventions and be considered “out-of-field” while working toward earning the reading endorsement?
Teachers who provide Tier 3 Interventions in Reading may not be out of field and must be reading endorsed. Florida Statute 1011.62(9) (c)7.(d)1.

May paraprofessionals, long-term substitutes, or volunteers provide the required intensive reading interventions?
Florida Statute 1011.62(9) (c)7.(d)1. states the intensive reading interventions are to be delivered by a teacher who is certified or endorsed in reading.