Literacy and Reading

Date	Upcoming Events
Tomorrow	Columbus Day
Oct 16 at 5:00pm	ASTL/Literacy Information Session
Oct 20 at 10:00am	Literacy Program Meeting
Oct 23 at 5:00pm	ASTL/Literacy Information Session
Nov 4	Election Day
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Program Description

Welcome to the George Mason University Literacy and Reading program! The Literacy and Reading program offers course work and degrees related to the reading, writing and language development of children, adolescents and adults. Our master's and doctoral programs prepare professions for instructional, leadership, research, and policy roles in school divisions, agencies and universities throughout the United States. All course work is carefully based in both research and practice to provide educators in every setting with a strong foundation for professional decision-making. The master's and graduate certificate program meets the requirements for reading specialist licensure in Virginia and follows the Standards for Literacy Professionals established by the International Reading Association. This program was recently identified by IRA as "Nationally Recognized" after an extensive accreditation and review process.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Literacy and Reading program involves five central objectives:

To provide experiences that will enable candidates to become highly knowledgeable in literacy theory, research,and appropriate instructional practices for young children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds and with diverse needs.
To provide experiences that will enable candidates to contribute to literacy instruction by developing coherent, inclusive literacy programs that meet the needs of all students.
To provide experiences that will enable candidates to contribute to literacy assessment in instructional contexts (assist in the development of assessment instruments, conduct assessments for individuals or groups of students, assist in interpretation of test results and share results of assessments with the public).
To provide experiences that will enable candidates to serve as a literacy leader in instructional contexts (serving as a resource to teachers, developing curriculum, coordinating the literacy program, selecting or identifying literacy material and providing professional development).
To provide experiences that will facilitate candidates development of the attitudes and skills necessary for continued learning throughout their literacy careers (through reading, writing, conducting research, providing professional presentations, and other opportunities for connecting with colleagues in literacy and allied fields).

News and Announcements

Reading Specialist Students Tutor Struggling Elementary School Children

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of students in Virginia who performed at or above the National Assessment of Educational Progress Basic reading level was 74 percent in 2007, up slightly from 72 percent in 2005.

Mason Researchers Work to Smooth Transitions for Young Students with Cancer

Mason researchers Jean B. Moore and Carol Kaffenberger have each spent a large part of their careers trying to make life better for children with cancer. Now they have joined forces and are working on the Student Reentry Project, which examines how students who have cancer and their school systems are affected.