Frequently Asked Questions

Phonics Requirement

State law requires that applicants for licensure in early childhood education, elementary education, and reading teacher/reading specialist must have training in the teaching of reading that includes phonics as a method before a license may be issued. "Phonics" means the teaching of reading using the phonic value of letters, letter groups and syllables. If you have never completed any training in the teaching of reading using phonics, then such training must be completed before the license can be issued.

Is completion of a specific phonics course required to meet the phonics requirement?

The phonics requirement is very flexible. It can be met by completing any reading or language arts course that had phonics content (defined to be teaching reading, using the phonetic value of letters, letter groups and syllables). It does not matter when, or for how many credits, the class was taken. University coursework, conferences, seminars, or workshops that included instruction in the teaching of reading using phonics as method will satisfy this requirement. A discrete course devoted solely to phonics is not required.

I have taken several reading courses, graduate and undergraduate, that included training in the teaching of phonics as an instructional method. Which transcripts should I submit to verify completion of the phonics requirement?

Applicants for licensure in early childhood education, elementary education, and reading teacher/reading specialist may verify, directly on the application form, that they have completed training in the teaching of reading that included phonics.

Do teachers of special education need to verify completion of phonics instruction coursework?

No, you do not need to verify completion of coursework on the teaching of reading using phonics as an instructional method for special education licensure.

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For questions about this information, contact Peggy A. Solberg (608) 266-2662

Last updated on 8/26/2008 2:37:42 PM