Are you passionate about the science of reading research and interested in pursuing additional certification? Or maybe you’re hoping that a new reading certification will be your ticket out of the classroom setting. As a mom of two boys with a small business to run, I knew I didn’t have time to go back to school for a new degree. I also knew I had to be wary of reading specialist Master’s programs because they do not all align with the research about how the brain learns to read. Yet I felt that a reading certification was my next step so I explored a few avenues. I quickly discovered that there is no easy road to reading certification, but I found a process that was less challenging and time-consuming than attaining a new Master’s degree.
I’ve shared bits and pieces about my certification journey on Instagram over the last couple of years. Many teachers expressed that they wanted more information but that they didn’t have specific questions because they truly just wanted to know ALL the details! I hope that this blog answers all the questions that you might have about the process.
Note: There are many ways to earn a reading certification and I will not cover them all here. I will tell you about my journey and I hope that it helps you find your way, as well!
As a preview, here’s a list of topics I’ll cover:
- Helpful acronyms
- The basics of certification through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction
- Choosing a practicum program
- Taking the KPEERI exam
- Cost considerations
- Jobs you can attain with your reading certification
Here’s the TL;DR:
The credentials I hold are Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist (SLDI), Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner (WDP), and Wilson Level 1 Certification. I earned the SLDI certification by completing the Wilson Level 1 program and passing an exam. If you came here for all the details on how I got here, then read on!
Acronyms:
Before we dive in, let’s review some of the acronyms I’ll be using. Otherwise, the alphabet soup of acronyms might make your head spin!
- WRS: Wilson Reading System
- WDP: Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner
- IDA: International Dyslexia Association
- CERI: Center for Effective Reading Instruction
- SLDI: Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist
- SLDS: Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist
- KPEERI: The Knowledge and Practice Examination for Effective Reading Instruction
Why apply for certification with CERI?
The Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) is an organization that was founded by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Its purpose is to promote evidence-based practices for the benefit of students and to offer certifications to teachers that “affirm their knowledge and skills in teaching literacy using a structured approach to language.” CERI’s direct affiliation with the IDA means that this credential will be valued by prospective employers!
CERI certification also means that you will be listed in the IDA and CERI provider directories. Parents and school districts use these directories when they look for qualified individuals. I received an email from my first parent only two weeks after being listed in the CERI directory!
CERI offers three different reading certification options: Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher Certificate, Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist Certification (C-SLDI), and Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist Certification (C-SLDS). The second one, C-SLDI, is what I hold and what I will talk about next.
How to become eligible for CERI certification as an SLDI
In a nutshell, SLDI certification is attained by completing a program of study with a practicum component and earning a passing score on the KPEERI. You can read all the details on the CERI website, but I’ll summarize them here, too.
The program of study must be offered through an IDA-accredited partner and include a minimum of 90 training hours. My training hours included a combination of live online meetings, online modules & quizzes, guided independent study, and written reports. (Several of my blog posts were created from the reports I wrote for my Wilson training!) Other programs may be structured differently.
The practicum portion has several requirements:
- It must be completed in the 1:1 setting.
- You must achieve a passing score on your portfolio.
- It must be a total of at least 24 weeks.
- You must meet with your student for a minimum of 2×60 or 3×45 each week.
- You must have at least 3 formal lesson observations with subsequent conferences and write-ups.
Which reading certification program is right for you?
My specific path to SLDI certification included Wilson Level 1 certification. It met all of the program and practicum requirements above. However, Wilson is not the only option. Other options include:
- Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE)
- Academic Language Therapy Associates (ALTA)
- AIM Institute
- The Apple Group
- The International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC)
- Institute for Multisensory Education (IMSE)
If you’d like to view the complete list of CERI-approved programs, go to the application page and look at the dropdown menu that says “Please Select Name of Accredited Institution/Program.”
Wilson vs. Orton Gillingham
It’s important to know that the Wilson Reading System (WRS) is a program while Orton Gillingham is an approach. WRS follows the principles of the Orton Gillingham approach in a structured, sequential, and cumulative way. Wilson is a great program that works well for many students, but some practitioners report that it is too rigid for some learners, and consequently, those students can’t meet the criteria for progressing through the levels. Learning the Orton Gillingham approach rather than a specific program may allow you more flexibility in meeting your learners where they are. That being said, Wilson has been working well for my small groups and I have no regrets!
What’s popular in your area?
It may be worth finding out which programs are popular in your area. Wilson is based in Massachusetts, so it is quite a popular option in my area. You may find that another program is preferred in your region. This may be an important consideration if you’d like to become a private tutor because if parents are encouraged to look for a tutor with specific credentials, you want to have those credentials!
The KPEERI Exam
According to the CERI website, the Knowledge and Practice Examination for Effective Reading Instruction (KPEERI) “measures an educator’s knowledge of the principles and practices of Structured Literacy.” It is a multiple-choice computer-based assessment. Candidates are given two hours to complete the exam. I took the exam at a testing center near my house. The process of signing up, scheduling, and sitting for the exam was very simple.
Preparing for the exam may not be so simple! Truthfully, I would’ve passed without studying, but I am moderately obsessed with all things structured literacy so I have developed a solid knowledge base over the last few years. Being the over-achiever/worrier that I am, I studied for a few weeks to improve my chances of passing.
The two main resources I used to study were the Reading Rockets modules and these Quizlets. The Reading Rockets modules, called Reading 101, are a self-paced study guide that covers many topics. Completing the modules may take a while to read through if you are unfamiliar with the content. A bonus: after completing each module and taking a quiz, you can download a certification of completion. It’s not an official CEU or PDP, but you may be able to use the certificate as evidence for your state certification or district evaluation.
Louisa Moats’ book, Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers, was also recommended as a resource for the KPEERI’s content. (This is an Amazon Affiliate link and I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my link.)
Personalize Your Reading Certification Plan
Before beginning your reading certification journey, consider emailing your questions to the folks at CERI. I received super-quick, helpful, and friendly responses when I emailed them to request details on the application process and the requirements for my specific situation. For example, I discovered I could get the KPEERI exam out of the way even though I hadn’t finished my Wilson practicum yet. This helped me manage my stress because I could choose an exam date in July, which gave me a couple of weeks after the school year ended to destress and squeeze in some last-minute studying. When I finished Wilson 9 months after passing the KPEERI, I just had to submit proof of my score.
What about the cost?
Currently, it costs $165 to take the KPEERI exam. It costs another $125 to apply for one year of CERI certification. To renew your certification, you must complete CEUs with an approved provider. You can opt to pay for one additional year of certification for $115 or three additional years for $320. (These prices are accurate at the time of publication but may change).
The program of study & associated practicum is the largest cost. I earned my Wilson certification through Gordon College. You can view the price of this program here. You might be surprised by the cost but many private tutors say that the resulting certification pays for itself quickly once you gain a client base. If you see one student three times per week for $100 each session, you’ll earn your money back in about 15 weeks, which is just over a trimester of school. You’ll earn it back even quicker if you fill up your schedule!
A more affordable option is the Children’s Dyslexia Center, which has many branches in the northeastern U.S. Your training through the Children’s Dyslexia Centers will be free, but you must complete the practicum at your local center with two students from their center.
Other programs, like Wilson, may not dictate where you tutor and which student(s) you choose, as long as the student meets the age and learning profile requirements. Many people hope to use a family member, current student, or neighbor as a practicum student for the convenience factor, but you’d have to forgo that if you choose to train through the Children’s Dyslexia Centers.
What’s next?
After you’re certified, what comes next? Hopefully a more fulfilling job and more income! With your new credentials, you may be able to snag a position as a general education reading tutor, a general education reading specialist, or a special education reading specialist. Some districts require you to hold state certification as a reading specialist, but others will accept your CERI certification instead of state certification.
If you see a job posting that requires candidates to hold state certification as a reading specialist but you have CERI certification instead, then I encourage you to sell your knowledge and skills in your cover letter! We know there’s a nationwide teacher shortage and you likely have a great shot at snagging that job if you can convey your aptitude to your potential employer.
Outside of the school setting, CERI certification will likely help you gain clients as a private tutor. You’ll be listed in provider directories and you can gain families’ trust and confidence when you tell them that your certification is affiliated with the International Dyslexia Association.
You can also consider networking with local mental health clinics, which may be looking to expand their offerings. Another option is networking within the local homeschool community. In both of these scenarios, you may be able to work as a self-employed private tutor, setting your own hours and rates.
What questions do you still have?
Please don’t hesitate to send me an email or a message on Instagram if you still have questions. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll do my best to help you find it!
Earning a reading certification may be your ticket out of the traditional classroom setting, and it will certainly be a profound opportunity to make a lasting impact on the children you meet when you become a highly skilled reading interventionist. If you decide to take the plunge, please keep me updated and know that I’m rooting for you!
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This post is not affiliated with, nor has it been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Wilson Language Training, the Center for Effective Reading Instruction, or the International Dyslexia Association.
