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Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential

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Created in partnership with the Florida Department of Education and the Division of Early Learning, the UF Lastinger Center for Learning’s Flamingo Literacy Micro-Credentials are available at no cost to Florida instructional personnel in an effort to create accessible and on-demand reading professional development. They give instructional personnel an opportunity to work at their own pace while implementing new instructional strategies in real-time and receiving individualized feedback and one-on-one support from an assessor. 

What does it do?

The Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential prepares elementary instructional personnel to:

  • Identify literacy difficulties accurately
  • Apply evidence-based practices
  • Engage in effective progress monitoring and intervention  

When does enrollment begin?

Enrollment for the December 9 offering is now closed. Please complete the Program Interest Form for updates about future enrollment opportunities.

The Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential can be completed in 10 weeks. Access the document below to learn more about upcoming offerings, enrollment dates and FAQs.

Program Application & Term Dates 

Term Application Open Date Application Close Date* Term Duration
Term 2 11/4/24 11/22/24 12/9/24 – 2/18/25
Term 3 12/9/24 11/27/24 1/13/25 – 3/25/25
Term 4 1/6/24 1/24/25 2/10/25 – 4/22/25

*Seats are limited and acceptance into the program is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program application may close earlier than the listed application close date if the seat limit is reached.

Who should participate?

PreK and kindergarten through fifth grade (public or public charter) instructional personnel:

  • Teachers
  • Paraprofessionals
  • Media Specialists
  • School Counselors
  • Interventionists

Why participate?

  • $1,000 completion stipend for eligible instructional personnel

  • Allows instructional personnel to teach intensive reading intervention, if supervised by an individual who is certified or endorsed in reading

  • Satisfies Competency 1 of the Reading Endorsement

  • Earn 60 inservice hours/6.0 CEUs
  • Satisfies the 40-hour reading requirement for renewal

  • Learn to analyze grade-level FAST progress monitoring data

  • Use assessment data to plan standards-aligned instruction to meet student need 

See below for Elementary Micro-Credential stipend eligibility.

    Stipend Information

    $1,000 completion stipend for Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential

      • Completions after October 23, 2024: Instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2), F.S., and Administrative personnel as defined in s. 1012.01 (3)(a) and (3)(c), F.S., who work at an LEA public school or school district (including public charters).
          • Classroom teachers
          • Student personnel services staff members
          • Librarians/media specialists
          • Education paraprofessionals
          • Other instructional staff
          • Select Administrative Personnel

    Stipend applications for courses completed after October 23, 2024, have not yet been made available. Enrolled earners can monitor the Stipends Hub page for updates and information on how to apply for these stipends will be communicated to your email address as soon as it becomes available.

    View available stipends and check your eligibility with our self-check tool on the Stipends Hub.

    How does it work?

    The Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential is a hybrid model of online modules, instructor-supported online courses, and job-embedded practicum. All coursework must be completed in English.

    Part 1

    Delivery Method: Asynchronous, online course
    Foundations of Literacy: Science of Reading | 20 hours 

    • Oral Language
    • Phonological Awareness
    • Early and Advanced Decoding 
    • Fluency 
    • Vocabulary 
    • Comprehension

    Instructional personnel have the option to test out of Part 1via a pre-test. If mastery is earned during the pre-test, they will enroll in Part 2. Expected completion time-up to 5 weeks.

    Part 2

    Delivery Method: Asynchronous, online course
    Instructional Practice | 20 hours

    Instructional personnel will learn how to provide reading intervention and practice using student data to inform their teaching strategies. Class exemplar data sets will be provided for the following grades:

      • Kindergarten
      • First and Second Grade
      • Third Grade
      • Fourth and Fifth Grade

    Expected completion time-up to 5 weeks.

    Part 3

    Delivery Method: Online, instructor-supported, job-embedded practice
    Practicum | 20 hours

    This 20-hour job-embedded practicum provides instructional personnel with case study data, based on either STAR or Cambium progress monitoring assessments, for an individual student from the class profile. 

    Weekly assignment submissions are expected for successful completion of the course. Expected completion time-up to 5 weeks.

    If you want to receive direct communication about our programs, including updates or enrollment notifications, please fill out our Program Interest Form!