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Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential
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 classroom strategies in real time and receiving individualized feedback and one-on-one support from an assessor.
How does it work?
The Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential is a hybrid model of online modules, instructor-supported online courses, and job-embedded practicum:
Part 1
Delivery Method: Online, Instructor-supported
Flamingo Early Learning course | 20 hours
- Preschool Language Development
- Desarrollo del Lenguaje en Niños Preescolares
- The Building Blocks of Preschool Literacy
- Language Development for Infants and Toddlers
If an instructional personnel has already earned mastery in one of the three courses, they will directly enroll in Part 2. Expected completion time-9 weeks-concurrently with Part 2.
Part 2
Delivery Method: Asynchronous online
Emergent Literacy Modules | 20 hours
- Oral Language and Shared Storybook Reading
- Alphabet Knowledge and Print Awareness
- Phonological Awareness
- Emergent Reading and Writing
Instructional personnel have the option to test out of Part 2 via a pre-test. Expected completion time-9 weeks-concurrently with Part 1.
Part 3
Delivery Method: Online, instructor-supported, job-embedded practice
Practicum | 20 hours
This 20-hour job-embedded practicum provides instructional personnel with personalized feedback from their navigators as they implement the strategies from Parts1 and 2 in real-time in their classrooms. The practicum activities are designed to be added to a CDA portfolio.
Weekly assignment submissions are expected for successful completion of the course. Expected completion time-up to 5 weeks.
What does it do?
The Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential prepares early learning instructional personnel and child care providers to:
- Support student outcomes for school readiness
- Identify literacy difficulties accurately
- Apply evidence-based practices
- Engage in effective progress monitoring and intervention
When does enrollment begin?
Applications are now closed.
Please use the Program Interest Form to sign up for information about future offerings.
The Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential can be completed in 15 weeks. Access the document below to learn more about upcoming offerings, enrollment dates, and FAQs.
Who should participate?
Birth through PreK instructional personnel (public or private), including but not limited to:
- Teachers
- Program Directors
- Interventionists
- Instructional Coaches
- Head Start Personnel
Why participate?
- $1,000 completion stipend for *eligible early child care personnel and early learning instructional staff
-
Build emergent literacy knowledge and skills with high-quality content
- Earn 60 inservice hours/6.0 CEUs
-
Supports language and literacy requirements for the CDA professional portfolio
- Satisfies the 40-hour reading requirement for renewal for certified Florida educators if completed after 10/21/2024
* Please review the stipend eligibility requirements below.
Program Application & Term Dates
| Term | Application Open Date | Application Close Date* | Term Duration |
| Winter 2025 | 12/2/24 | 12/20/24 | 1/21/25 – 3/25/25 |
| Spring 2025 | 1/6/25 | 1/24/25 | 2/10/25 – 4/15/25 |
*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.
Stipend Information
$1,000 completion stipend for Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential
- Completions after October 23, 2024 Eligibility:
- Prekindergarten instructors as specified in ss. 1002.55, 1002.61, and 1002.63, F.S.; and child care personnel as defined in ss. 402.302(3) and 1002.88(1)(e), F.S., who work at a private child care facility licensed under s. 402.305, F.S., family child care home licensed under s. 402.313, F.S., large family child care home licensed under s. 402.3131, F.S., public or nonpublic school exempt from licensure under s. 402.3025, F.S., faith-based child care provider exempt from licensure under s. 402.316, F.S., before or after-school program described in s. 402.305, F.S., or a child development program that is accredited by a national accrediting body and operates on a military installation that is certified by the United States Department of Defense. Including prekindergarten instructors and directors of facilities and providers holding a VPK and/or SR contract and child care personnel who work at DCF licensed, registered, or exempt from licensure providers.
- Early Learning Coalition Personnel, prioritizing early learning personnel physically working with a provider such as instructors, directors, and coaches employed by an Early Learning Coalition defined in s. 1002.83, F.S., or RCMA; including subcontractors and designees of an Early Learning Coalition or RCMA providing coaching or technical support to an early learning provider as verified by the Early Learning Coalition or RCMA
- Learners who have already received one (1) Micro-Credential stipend, will not receive another stipend. Those who have been previously paid a Literacy Micro-Credential stipend for courses will not be eligible to receive a second stipend for the completion of an additional Literacy Micro-Credential.
View stipends and check your eligibility with our self-check tool on the Stipends Hub.
Ready to apply? Learn more on the Emergent Literacy Stipend page.
If you want to receive direct communication about our programs, including updates or enrollment notifications, please fill out our Program Interest Form!