Science of Reading: Part 1 - EDC-X763AA

Course Description

Credit Validation for Ashlock Consulting, Inc. Participants Only

Science of Reading—Part 1 is a professional development course designed to equip elementary educators with the knowledge, strategies, and tools needed to implement effective, evidence-aligned reading instruction. Part 1 focuses on explicit, systematic instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, and structural awareness, providing educators with a strong foundation for supporting students’ reading development.

This course is the first in a six-part Science of Reading series and incorporates content from Ashlock Consulting’s International Dyslexia Association (IDA)-accredited Structured Literacy Bundle.

Science of Reading—Parts 1–6 must be completed in sequence, with each course serving as a prerequisite for the next. In addition to the six required courses, two optional courses are available within the series.

If you would like to purchase Continuing Education Units (CEUs) instead of USD Graduate-Level Extension Credit (GLEC), CEU participants will receive a Confirmation of Completion Letter documenting the CEUs earned, which can be downloaded and provided as a PDF for professional records. Click here for CEU Requests – Participant Instructions. 

Learner Outcomes

• Explain key research models of skilled reading, including Scarborough’s Reading Rope and the Simple View of Reading
• Describe the principles and components of a Structured Literacy approach, its connection to equitable access to reading instruction, and the Four-Part Processing Model of the Brain
• Identify factors that contribute to literacy development and explain why learning to read is difficult for many students
• Recognize the developmental progression of phonological awareness and the critical role of early phonemic awareness intervention in preventing learning difficulties
• Teach explicit phonological awareness, sound/spelling, blending, syllabication, and word recognition instruction
• Classify English phonemes and analyze how English spelling represents speech sounds, including regular and irregular words
• Apply principles of orthographic mapping, common syllable types and division patterns, morpheme instruction, and the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model to support proficient reading

Course Details

PLEASE READ ALL COURSE DETAILS

Number of Units: 1.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours.

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for Ashlock Consulting, Inc. Participants.

University of San Diego – Graduate-Level Extension Credit Information

The University of San Diego partners with this program to offer graduate-level extension credit(s) in semester hours through the Credit Validation Program. To earn units, participants must register for and successfully complete coursework through the external program provider.

Credits earned through USD’s Credit Validation Program are widely accepted by many school districts and universities across the United States for purposes such as license renewal, required professional development hours, short-term skill building, salary advancement, credentialing, and potential advanced degree pathways.

These units do not apply toward a master’s or higher degree program at the University of San Diego; however, they may be transferable to advanced degree programs (e.g., MA, EdD, PhD) at other institutions that accept external graduate-level credits.

Participants are responsible for confirming acceptance, transcript requirements, deadlines, and applicability of units with their employing district or intended institution prior to enrollment.

Directions to Enroll for Credit 

Step 1: Register with the Partner Organization
Complete your registration directly with the partner organization. Follow their instructions to begin the course and pay any required enrollment fees.

• Homepage: Ashlock Consulting, Inc.
• Enroll: ASHLOCK ACADEMY COURSES 
• Contact: Ashlock Consulting, Inc. P.O. Box 4515 Petaluma, CA 94955-4515 (707) 658-2287 info@ashlockconsulting.com

Please Note: USD does not provide course materials, manage instruction, or assign grades. All coursework is evaluated by the program’s instructor or coordinator.

Step 2: Complete the Course 
Participate fully in the course through the partner organization and complete all required assignments, activities, and assessments. (Some courses, specifically DoDEA courses, may require participants to purchase units before the course ends; please check the enrollment window for details.)

Step 3: Register for University Credit
After confirming your registration with the partner organization and completing your program, return to USD’s website.

• Locate the same course on our listings page
• Click Add to Cart
• Click Check Out
• You will be prompted to either log into your USD Student Account or create one, and then pay for your units

If this course displays Request Information, it means the course is either not yet open for enrollment (please check the enrollment dates) or enrollment has already closed. If enrollment has closed, you may still contact the organization directly to see if they will accept a late enrollment or if the course will be offered again in the future.

Step 4: Submit your Certificate of Completion
After completing this course, you are required to submit your certificate of completion, which will be provided by your program. Please be sure to purchase your credits first, then email your certificate to pce-cv@sandiego.edu, including the course number in your message.

Step 5: Receive Your Transcript
No further action is needed. Once your grade has been processed, USD will issue an official transcript reflecting your earned university credit. Transcripts are mailed to the address listed in your USD student account. 

Transcript Process: Once we receive your certificate of completion, we will begin processing your transcript. Participants are responsible for ensuring that their mailing address is accurate and up to date in their USD student account to avoid delays in transcript delivery.

Transcript Delivery Timeline:

• U.S. addresses: 2–3 weeks
• International addresses: 3–4 weeks

For detailed information regarding the University of San Diego Credit Validation Program, please consult our Participant Guide.