Knowledge and Practice Standards (KPS)
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) consistently finds that 33% of fourth graders in the United States are reading at a level that is below basic. Research has demonstrated that most reading difficulties can be resolved or diminished when reading is taught by a highly knowledgeable and skilled teacher.
The identification of individuals with dyslexia and appropriate instruction have been cornerstones of IDA since its beginning. The IDA’s Knowledge and Practice Standards (KPS) define the knowledge and skills that all teachers of reading should possess to teach all students to read proficiently. The IDA’s Educator Training Initiatives (ETI) Committee has refined the KPS to bring greater specificity to how knowledge of the standards could be assessed in the context of coursework and how practice applications of Structured Literacy could be demonstrated in supervised practicum contexts.
To view the Knowledge and Practice Standards file, click here. (Also available in Spanish) Links are also available on that page for information on Program and Educator Certification through IDA.
KPS and Educator Certification
The Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) requires candidates to present evidence of their having mastered the content of the KPS by earning a passing score on the Knowledge and Practice Examination of Effective Reading Instruction (K-PEERI) and for select certifications, passing scores or ratings on supervised practicum requirements. For more information about CERI certification, please click HERE.
KPS and Program Accreditation
IDA Accredits pre-service and in-service educator preparation programs on the basis of their ability to document alignment with the KPS, as articulated in the IDA Accreditation Handbook (under development). To reach a member of the ETI Leadership Team with specific questions related to the accreditation process, please click HERE.
For a list of Accredited Educator Preparation Programs: Higher Education, click HERE.
For a list of Accredited Educator Preparation Programs: Independent, click HERE.
For Accreditation Resources, click HERE.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click HERE.
Click the links below for more information.
Knowledge & Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading
IDA Fact Sheets about Dyslexia
RMB Service Provider Referral List Application
Spanish Resources (en Español)
Colorado and Wyoming Departments of Education
IDA Membership Benefits for Professionals