Who Teaches Reading in Public Elementary Schools? The Assignments and Educational Preparation of Reading Teachers. Issue Brief. NCES 2004-034

This Issue Brief describes the qualifications of public school elementary-level reading teachers relative to general elementary teachers, in terms of their educational attainment, their educational preparation and certification in reading, and their educational preparation and certification in elementary education. Data are drawn from the 1999?2000 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). In 1999?2000, 36 percent of public school reading specialists reported an undergraduate or graduate level major in reading, 81 percent reported a state certification in reading, and 32 percent reported both a major and certification in reading. Among general elementary education teachers, five percent reported a major in reading, three percent reported certification in reading, and two percent reported both a major and certification in reading. Table 1 evaluates the number of public elementary level teachers and the percentage of teachers with specific subject matter assignments by various work role and classroom assignments: 1999-2000. Table 2 reports on the educational preparation of the three groups of reading teachers in 1999?2000.