Official Site of The State of New Jersey

The early literacy specialist endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a reading specialist in preschool through grade three. An early literacy specialist conducts in-service training of teachers and administrators; coordinates instruction for students or groups of students having difficulty learning to read; diagnoses the nature and cause of a student’s difficulty in learning to read; plans developmental programs in reading for all students; recommends methods and materials to be used in the school district reading program; and contributes to the collection of standardized data as a means of determining and monitoring the reading achievement of students. Additionally, the early literacy specialist may serve as the primary general education interventionist for any student in preschool through grade three with a reading or literacy difficulty that is the result of dyslexia or dysgraphia.

The early literacy specialist endorsement will be required, beginning at the start of the 2026-2027 school year, to serve in roles that align with the authorizations above.

Option 1: Recommendation for certification by an approved New Jersey educator preparation program

Degree Requirement

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Teaching Experience Requirement

Three years of successful teaching experience.

Certification Requirement

Hold a valid New Jersey standard instructional certificate in preschool through grade three or elementary school.

Coursework Requirement

Complete a New Jersey approved post-baccalaureate program that is a minimum of 18 semester-hour credits with a program of study consisting of the following:

1. Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print.
2. Diagnosis and correction of literacy problems of early learners, including a supervised clinical experience of at least 30 hours.
3. Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies to improve the teaching of literacy.
4. Supervised clinical internship in reading that focuses on the implementation of schoolwide literacy leadership, coaching/professional development, and the diagnosis, planning, and correction of reading problems in a supplemental/in-class setting.
5. Methodology that incorporates multi-sensory instructional approaches for teaching early literacy skills and that helps to remediate learning for students with dyslexia and/or dysgraphia.
6. Strategies for remediation of writing for early learners with a focus on the development of fine-motor skills related to the process of writing.
7. Advanced study of literacy strategies for supporting students with varying abilities and multilingual learners.

Option 2

Degree Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

A master’s degree in early literacy, literacy, reading or another related field from an accredited college or university.

Teaching Experience Requirement

Three years of successful teaching experience.

Certification Requirement

Hold a valid New Jersey standard instructional certificate in preschool through grade three or elementary school.

Coursework Requirement

1. Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print.
2. Diagnosis and correction of literacy problems of early learners, including a supervised clinical experience of at least 30 hours.
3. Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies to improve the teaching of literacy.
4. Supervised clinical internship in reading that focuses on the implementation of schoolwide literacy leadership, coaching or professional development, and the diagnosis, planning, and correction of reading problems in a supplemental or in-class setting.
5. Methodology that incorporates multi-sensory instructional approaches for teaching early literacy skills and that helps to remediate learning for students with dyslexia or dysgraphia.
6. Strategies for remediation of writing for early learners with a focus on the development of fine-motor skills related to the process of writing.
7. Advanced study of literacy strategies for supporting students with varying abilities and multilingual learners.