Everyone knows that elementary schools invest a great deal of time and energy in the teaching of reading. They are staffed with teachers who must complete a solid background of reading courses.  If the vital work of reading instruction is to continue effectively in our middle schools, it is essential that middle grades reading teachers receive specialized training as well.  Those who teach mathematics, science, and other middle grades courses receive specific training for their areas of expertise. It follows then that we must revitalize our middle grades reading programs by making sure reading classes taught by skilled reading teachers find their way back into the schools.

 Courses that lead to Indiana Young Adolescent Reading Licenses provide the foundation to begin the important work of helping engage students with books, supporting those who struggle to keep up with reading requirements for their grade levels, promoting reading throughout the school, and doing all the necessary things to help students to become proficient and voluntary readers.

      Middle grades teachers desiring to obtain reading licenses should have their transcripts reviewed by a college.  Most teachers have already had some of the required courses and may be able to obtain an Early Adolescence Reading Licenses with just a few additional courses. Such courses include the following:

·        Foundations of reading

·        Developmental reading

·        Content areas reading

·        Corrective/diagnostic/remedial reading

·        Psycholinguistics/language development

·        Literature for young adolescents.

     Indiana colleges and universities with approved programs that lead to Early Adolescence

Reading Licenses are the following:

* Ball State University

* Butler University

* Indiana State University

* Indiana University

* Indiana University Northwest

* Indiana University South Bend

* Indiana University Southeast

            * IUPU Fort Wayne

            * IUPU Indianapolis

            * Oakland City University

* Purdue University

            * Purdue University/Calumet

* Saint Mary’s College

* University of Evansville

            * University of Indianapolis

            * University of Southern Indiana

* Valparaiso University

      From 1965 to 2001, over 11,000 reading endorsements were granted to Indiana educators.  Most of these were issued early in that period, and many of those who received the reading training have retired.  On June 20, 2001, the Indiana Professional Standards Board approved Early Childhood (Pre-school and Primary), Middle Childhood (Intermediate), Early Adolescence (Middle/Junior High), Adolescence/Young Adulthood (High School), and the Reading Specialist License for advanced training beyond the reading license.

     With so many colleges and universities throughout the state offering programs leading to Early Adolescence Reading Licenses, we expect to see a steady increase in the number of Indiana educators enrolling in them.  Only then we will see hear people say, "Everyone knows that both elementary and middle grades schools invest a great deal of time and energy in the teaching of reading.