Bethel University wants to be the gold standard for teacher preparedness in the field of reading science. Photo provided by Bethel University.

News Release

MISHAWAKA — The Academic Language Therapy Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bethel University, making it the first undergraduate institution in the nation to offer Certified Academic Language Practitioner certification for bachelor of arts in education graduates.

CALP is a nationally recognized professional certification for dyslexia and related disorders and has historically been reserved for individuals who already have earned a bachelor’s degree and are pursuing coursework at the graduate level.

Due to recent program changes within Bethel’s education department and its partnership with B.E.A.R. Reading Center in South Bend, Bethel has been approved as a provider for the required comprehensive practitioner-level training. This allows completers to be able to sit for the ALTA competency exam at the practitioner level immediately after earning their bachelor’s degree.

“As the first initiative for our newly developed BU Center for Literacy, we ensured our curriculum was fully aligned with the science of reading,” says Director of Center for Literacy and Associate Professor of Education Michelle Fish, Ph.D. “However, our desire was to make changes that would not just meet minimum state requirements but would be the gold standard for teacher preparedness in the field of reading science.”

Bethel’s program changes included moving from a two-course, six-credit reading sequence, which was the minimum the state required, to a 16-credit literacy cognate, including an additional 60-hour clinical literacy practicum.

Kim Haughee, M.A.E., CALP, Instructor of CALP, Certified Academic Language Therapist, who serves as B.E.A.R. Reading Center Director in South Bend and ALTA Great Lakes Chapter President, was instrumental in the partnership. She is I-CALP certified and will serve as the teacher of record for the program.

“While working toward a bachelor’s degree at Bethel University, pre-service educators will be taught the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully implement science of reading strategies within classrooms. Their students will have the advantage of being immersed in an instructional environment leading to proficient reading and writing outcomes,” Haughee says.

In addition to the added benefit of earning a national professional certification, Bethel’s teacher candidates will graduate with the necessary tools to provide additional dyslexia intervention to their future students from their first day of teaching.

“We are thrilled to be leading the charge for the science of reading and improved teacher training, not only in our region but also nationwide. We know that when teachers embrace the science of reading, students will develop a strong foundation for reading success. Our teacher training program equips teachers with the essential skills to bridge the gap between research and the classroom, promoting evidence-based methods for reading instruction and leading to improved literacy outcomes for all students,” says Jim Bennett, Ed.D., program director and department chair for education.

To learn more about ALTA, CALT and CALP, visit altaread.org.