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).