Reading Literacy, Assessment, and Evaluation (Non-Licensure*) - PhD in Education

Through this research-oriented specialization, educators gain expertise in best practices in reading, literacy, curriculum design and instruction, teacher professional development, and program evaluation and assessment. Students develop literacy-related research projects and critique significant research that can improve reading and curriculum outcomes across the educational system, including classroom instruction, program design, policy implementation, and critical thinking.

Through their coursework students explore:

Sociopolitical, cultural, and economic influences on literacy.
Curriculum and assessment.
The role of literature in promoting cross-cultural understandings in a student-centered literacy curriculum.
Best practices in literacy.
Program design and evaluation.

This specialization is designed for classroom teachers, lead teachers, reading specialists, literacy coaches, department chairs, curriculum specialists, and any instructors who wants to gain a deeper understanding of reading and literacy practices and evaluation methods. Students also take research method courses that will help them grow as scholar-practitioners.

*Walden University’s PhD in Education program with a Reading Literacy, Assessment, and Evaluation (Non-Licensure) does not lead to certification or licensure in reading literacy, assessment, and evaluation. Walden makes no representation, warranty, guarantee, or commitment that successful completion of this program or coursework for graduate credit within this program will permit a graduate to obtain state certification or licensure as a teacher in reading literacy, assessment, and evaluation.

Learning Outcomes

After graduating from this specialization, the student will:

Interpret the components of reading curriculum in the 21st century including influences from the sociopolitical landscape, social media, technological innovations, family and community involvement, and influences from applicable education standards.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate with stakeholders to gain their support for improvement of curriculum and literacy programs at the systems level.
Address challenges faced in teaching and learning literacy curriculum across content areas.
Assess literacy curriculum and programs utilizing data about students and literacy assessments used at the national, state, and local levels.
Create literacy programs that enhance student learning and support professional development for teachers.
Integrate concepts of positive social change in literacy curriculum and programs.
Evaluate literacy research.
Practice ethically in the profession.
Demonstrate the ability to conduct research that positively impacts social change.

Curriculum

Foundation Course (5 cr.)

Core Course (5 cr.)

EDPD 8005 - Diffusion of Technological Innovations in the Workplace

Specialization Courses (30 cr.)

Doctoral Support Courses (6 cr.)

Core Research Sequence (15 cr.)

Courses composing the core research sequence are conducted online and require weekly readings, participation in discussions, and assignment completion. Course instructors guide discussions and evaluate discussion and application assignments. RSCH 8110 must be completed prior to Residency 2 of the academic residencies. RSCH 8210 and RSCH 8310 must be completed prior to beginning the dissertation or attending Residency 3.

Advanced Research Course (5 cr.)

Those enrolled in this specialization are required to complete an advanced research course. The university offers three advanced research courses: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods. When the prospectus is approved, students will take the advanced research course selected as the methodology approved for the dissertation.

Students are required to complete one of the following courses:

Numbers changed below and they will now each be 5 credits

RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
RSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis

Dissertation (20 cr.)

EDPD 8990 - Completing the Dissertation

Course Sequence

Year	Term	Course	Credits
1	1	EDPD 8002 - Leading the Future of Education♦ OR EDPD 8006 - Leading the Future of Education♦	5 cr.
	2	EDPD 8060 - Issues and Trends in Reading and Literacy	5 cr.
	2	EDPD 8061 - Assessment and Data Analysis to Support Effective Literacy Programs	5 cr.
	3	RSCH 8100 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods OR RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods♦	5 cr.
	3	EDPD 8062 - A Collaborative Approach to Literacy Across the Content Areas♦	5 cr.
	4	EDPD 8063 - Reading Research Design: Analysis and Evaluation	5 cr.
	4	EDPD 8003 - Tools for Doctoral Research Success	2 cr.
2	5	RSCH 8200 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis OR RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis♦	5 cr.
	5	EDPD 8005 - Diffusion of Technological Innovations in the Workplace	5 cr.
	6	EDPD 8064 - Literacy Interventions for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations	5 cr.
	6	EDPD 8004 - Demystifying Doctoral Writing for Research	2 cr.
	7	RSCH 8300 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis OR RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis♦	5 cr.
	7	EDPD 8065 - Comprehensive Literacy Model for Student Improvement	5 cr.
	8	EDPD 8900 - Completing the Prospectus	2 cr.
	8	RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis OR RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis OR RSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis	5 cr.
3	9–12	EDPD 8990 - Completing the Dissertation	20 cr.

Students will be registered for two courses every 11 weeks, following the completion of the foundation course. Students who wish to reduce their course load during one or more terms should contact their academic advisor.

Note on Certification

This program is not intended to lead to teacher certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.