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Maryland State Department of Education

MSDE Offered Science of Reading Microcredential Courses

The Maryland State Board of Education and Maryland State Department of Education are dedicated to ensuring every student in Maryland has access to teachers proficient in teaching reading using instructional methods grounded in science. Thanks to a $6.85M philanthropic partnership with the Ibis Group, MSDE is pleased to offer professional learning to Maryland educators at no cost. This initiative offers several key benefits:

  • Cost-Free Professional Development: Educators gain free access to high-quality coursework that strengthens instructional skills without added cost.
  • Continuing Professional Development Credits: The SUNY microcredential fulfills Maryland’s reading proficiency requirement for teacher license renewal in key subject areas.
  • Improved Literacy Outcomes: Enhanced literacy instruction for thousands of Maryland educators will drive stronger reading achievement for students statewide.

Find the Right Online Course for You!

We’re excited to partner with AIM and SUNY to offer five free professional development courses for Maryland educators. These courses are available in both online and in-person formats, covering topics such as Science of Reading Fundamentals and Literacy Leadership. Explore the options below to find the course that best fits your professional learning needs.

Are you a paraeducator, teacher, specialist, or school leader in Maryland’s public schools with only preliminary knowledge about the Science of Reading?

The SUNY New Paltz Science of Reading Fundamentals Microcredential course is a 35-hour, completely online introductory course in the Science of Reading designed for all educators.

Are you an upper elementary or secondary teacher who already has introductory knowledge about the Science of Reading?

The AIM Institute’s Pathways to Proficient Reading: Secondary course is an extensive online course with six synchronous one-hour Virtual Communities of Practice sessions designed specifically for secondary educators.

Are you a school or district leader who already has some background knowledge about the Science of Reading?

The AIM Institute’s Pathways to Literacy Leadership course, an extensive online course with two six-hour in-person Communities of Practice sessions, is designed specifically for school and district leaders.

Have you already had extensive training in the Science of Reading but want to learn how to meet your students’ diverse needs?

The AIM Institute’s Specialized Reading Knowledge: English Learners courses offer a 10-hour online course with three virtual communities of practice. Additionally, you can also enroll in the AIM Institute’s Demystifying Dyslexia course, a three-hour online course.

Contact:

Melody Heyward
Executive Associate, Literacy Programs and Initiatives Branch
Office: 410-767-0329
[email protected]

Jill Snell
Executive Director, Literacy Programs and Initiatives
Office: (410) 767-0172
[email protected]