Teachers must be certified to help struggling readers

In response to "Educators: Innovate less, execute more,” (Sept. 4) I agree that we must identify struggling readers as early as possible.

However, we cannot provide these students with "intense research-based instructional interventions" unless the classroom teachers have this knowledge. The general classroom teacher, as well as the reading specialist, must know the evidence-based foundations of reading instruction.

In Maryland, we have no accountability built into our certification process to assure that teachers are prepared to provide the appropriate intervention. Our state teacher certification or licensure exam could be used to ensure that teachers have the knowledge of essential facts and concepts. Many states have already adopted more rigorous certification exams in reading and language arts.

Response to Intervention (RTI) will only be effective when we have knowledgeable teachers.