Welcome to Secondary Language Arts
Overview
Our mission is to ensure that all students become proficient in various areas of literacy in order to become successful citizens, and to be prepared for college and career pathways.
Secondary Language Arts Team
Dr. Naomi Watkins
Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7616 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Brenda McMurtrey
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7891 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Utah Core Standards
The Utah State Board of Education approved new P-12 English Language Arts Standards in April of 2023. These standards identify the essential literacy skills in speaking & listening, reading, and writing.
Utah State Standards for P-12 English Language Arts(PDF File)
Core Guides
Grade 6: A Core Guide to the Utah English Language Arts Standards
Grades 7-8: A Core Guide to the Utah English Language Arts Standards
Grades 9-10: A Core Guide to the Utah English Language Arts Standards
Grades 11-12: A Core Guide to the Utah English Language Arts Standards
Secondary Language Arts Team
Dr. Naomi Watkins
Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7616 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Brenda McMurtrey
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7891 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Educator Endorsements
Endorsement Applications
For information on endorsement options and requirements, please refer to the following:
Endorsement Application and Specifications
(PDF File)
Endorsement FAQs
English Language Arts Endorsement Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)(PDF File)
Secondary Literacy Interventionist (SLI) Endorsement Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)(PDF File)
(PDF File)
Online Endorsement Courses
The Utah State Board of Education, in partnership with Southern Utah University, offers four online courses that meet the requirements for the English Language Arts endorsement. These courses meet the following requirement areas:
|
Course Name |
Requirement Areas Met |
|
Teaching Secondary English Language Arts (ELA) |
3, 7 |
|
Adolescent Literature |
1, 2, 3 |
|
Content Area Literacy Instruction |
7, 9 |
|
Teaching Writing for Adolescents |
5 |
Registration
Educators may register for a MAXIMUM of two online endorsement courses per term. Registrations beyond the maximum will be automatically dropped.
Please check the email address you used to set up your Midas account. Enrollment information will be sent to this email address.
Fall 2024 Semester
Registration: July 31 – August 28, 2024
Course Dates: September 11 – December 4, 2024
- Adolescent Literature – Midas 61407-3
- Content Area Literacy Instruction – Midas 61408-3
Spring 2025 Semester
Registration:November 20 - December 20, 2025
Course Dates: January 8 – April 1, 2025
- Teaching Secondary English Language Arts - Midas 61409-3
- Teaching Writing for Adolescents - Midas 61410-3
To register for USBE courses please visit https://usbe.midaseducation.com and search using the MIDAS course number.
*Note: Course will not show in Midas until the registration opens.
Participation Criteria for online English Language Arts endorsement courses:
The endorsement courses are designed specifically for Utah educators seeking an associate or professional level ELA endorsement.
Fees & Official SUU Transcripts
To receive an official transcript with a grade for the course, you will need to pay $69 to SUU ($23 for each credit; these courses are three credits each).
Secondary Language Arts Team
Dr. Naomi Watkins
Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7616 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Brenda McMurtrey
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7891 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Meetings
Secondary Literacy Director Meetings
2024-2025 Meetings (Virtual)
- Tuesday, September 18, 2024, 1:00-3:00 pm
- Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 1:00-3:00 pm
- Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm
- Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm
Message brenda.mcmurtrey@schools.utah.gov for an invite.
Secondary Language Arts Team
Dr. Naomi Watkins
Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7616 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Brenda McMurtrey
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7891 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Professional Learning
Information coming soon.
Secondary Language Arts Team
Dr. Naomi Watkins
Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7616 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Brenda McMurtrey
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7891 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Resources
Secondary ELA Newsletters
Coming soon.
(PDF File)(PDF File)
UEN Resources
UEN Resources for K-12 Education: English Language Arts(External Web Content)
Utah Curriculum Resources for Language Arts: Secondary
USBE Resources
A Guide for Secondary Educators Supporting Adolescent Readers
Bringing Grammar & Language to Life Through Evidence-Based Practices
Utah's P-12 Literacy Framework
E-mail List
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE), in collaboration with the Utah Education Network (UEN), has created a Secondary ELA Teacher ListServ for all secondary ELA professionals across the state. Subscribe to stay up to date on secondary ELA resources and professional learning opportunities.
Secondary Language Arts Team
Dr. Naomi Watkins
Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7616 | E-mail(External Web Content)
Brenda McMurtrey
Executive Secretary
Phone: (801) 538-7891 | E-mail(External Web Content)