An outline showing the objectives of the Reading for Virginia Educators: Elementary and Special Education (5306) test is shown below.

I. Assessment and Diagnostic Teaching

• Understand the characteristics and uses of assessment and screening measures for evaluating students’ language proficiency and reading skills.
• Understand the use of assessment data to plan reading instruction.

II. Oral Language and Oral Communication

• Understand the development of oral language and oral communication skills.
• Understand the development of phonological awareness, including phonemic awareness.

III. Reading Development

• Understand how to promote students’ understanding of concepts of print and basic phonetic principles.
• Understand explicit, systematic phonics instruction.
• Understand word-analysis skills and vocabulary development.
• Understand the development of reading fluency and reading comprehension.
• Understand reading comprehension strategies for fiction and poetry.
• Understand reading comprehension strategies for nonfiction.

IV. Writing and Research

• Understand writing skills and processes.
• Understand how to promote students’ knowledge of correct spelling, usage, and other writing mechanics.
• Understand writing and reading as tools for inquiry and research.

V. Analysis and Application (Covered in Part B: Constructed-Response Questions)

• The candidate will apply knowledge of assessment and diagnostic teaching to prepare an organized written response to a constructed-response question.
• The candidate will apply knowledge of the elements of reading development to prepare an organized written response to a constructed-response question.
• The candidate will apply knowledge of the elements of writing and research to prepare an organized written response to a constructed-response question.