Masters: Reading Specialist vs. Literacy Specialist

<p>Hello, </p>

<p>I have several questions related to literacy and reading specialists. I would appreciate any feedback about either of these fields. </p>

<p>-What's the main difference between literacy and reading specialists? </p>

<p>-What is a literacy specialist able to do that a reading specialist cannot do and vice versa? </p>

<p>-Which degree will give me the greatest career flexibility and job options? </p>

<p>-Are either of these more in demand than the other right now? </p>

<p>-Does one typically pay more than the other? </p>

<p>-Do public elementary schools typically hire reading specialists vs literacy specialists for their reading/literacy learning specialist? (Because of the license)</p>

<p>-I noticed that in NY, a literacy specialist license is only in Birth-grade 6, whereas a reading specialist license is from B-grade 12. (2 separate licenses, but both are attainable with separate tests). Do you know if every state is that way?<br>
-If I get my state literacy specialist license in NY where its B-grade 6, but another state has their literacy license for a larger age group (for example, B-grade 12) would I be able to take another licensing exam to teach those grades as well or no because it was not part of my course of study? </p>

<p>-If someone is in one of these fields, I would love to hear a little about your day to day routines and the positives and negatives of
being in your field. </p>

<p>I am currently a 2nd grade teacher (BS elementary ed) and looking to get my masters as either a literacy specialist or as a reading specialist.<br>
My goals after the masters degree are to:</p>

<p>-have more job options within the primary grades with a more marketable degree (I would like the option to stay in the traditional classroom setting with more literacy knowledge to help my students)
-Have the option of working as a literacy/reading teacher in elementary through high schools
-have the option of working with adults and ESL speakers</p>

<p>To be honest, I like the literacy specialist masters curriculum better (courses like childrens lit, etc) but the reading specialist masters seems like it may open more doors in the end. </p>

<p>I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks so much!</p>