The Education, Reading and Literacy Department at San Bernardino Valley College maintains a commitment to instructional innovations, and inter-divisional collaboration, that supports its mission to provide a diverse community of learners with a variety of effective instructional experiences, which strengthens reading comprehension, critical thinking, and study strategies. These skills are essential in the preparation of students who will transfer to four-year universities, enter the workforce by earning applied degrees and certificates, and to improve the quality of life in San Bernardino, the Inland Empire, and beyond.

Degrees & Certificates

Click on a degree or certificate to learn more about the requirements, view program maps and more.

Education, Reading, and Literacy Courses

EDUC 2003 Units
Introduction to Elementary Education

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Advisory: ENGL101 or ENGL101H

This course introduces students to the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in contemporary public schools (K-12). Topics include historical and philosophical foundations of the American education system, teaching as a profession and career, contemporary education issues, California Content Standards and framework, and teacher performance standards. In addition to class time, 45-hours of structured fieldwork are required at an approved public school elementary classroom with a certified classroom teacher and students that represent California's diverse population. Proof of a negative TB test and fingerprint clearance are required for classroom observations.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

READ 0154 Units
Preparation for College Reading

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Have you seen the movies IT or Doctor Sleep? They are based on Stephen King novels. How about The Hate U Give, Crazy Rich Asians, or Jurassic Park? These movies were also book-to-movie adaptations. If you’re a fan of movies, read the books that inspired them! This course is designed to foster improvement in reading comprehension and vocabulary. Coursework includes reading texts from various genres and other assignments, while preparing students for college reading success across the disciplines. This course may also be offered for noncredit as READ615.

Associate Degree Applicable

READ 1003 Units
College Academic Reading

Lecture: 54 contact hours

This course is designed to improve reading and learning processes, reading comprehension, and critical thinking strategies as applied to all stages of academic reading. Emphasis will be on the integration and synthesis of academic text.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

READ 1023 Units
Critical Reading as Critical Thinking

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Advisory: READ100

This course explores the relationship of critical reading and critical thinking with an emphasis on the development of critical thinking skills and the application in the interpretation, analysis, criticism, and advocacy of ideas encountered in academic reading.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

READ 1033 Units
Reading and Literacy for Lifelong Learning

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Advisory: READ100

This course focuses on providing students with reading and information literacy strategies for college completion and lifelong success. These skills include identifying, evaluating, and applying practical reading and learning techniques utilizing social, physical, and psychological resources and tools.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

READ 1043 Units
Critical Reading, Thinking and Literacy

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Prerequisite: ENGL101 or ENGL101H

This course explores the relationship between critical reading and literacy to critical thinking. Instruction is provided in the strategies necessary for college reading application in interpretation, analysis, criticism, and advocacy of ideas encountered in academic non-fiction texts across disciplines. Emphasis on reading texts which explore contemporary issues, including cultural diversity, equity, and anti-racism.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

READ 615Noncredit
Preparation for College Reading

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Have you seen the movies IT or Doctor Sleep? They are based on Stephen King novels. How about The Hate U Give, Crazy Rich Asians, or Jurassic Park? These movies were also book-to-movie adaptations. If you’re a fan of movies, read the books that inspired them! This noncredit course is designed to foster improvement in reading comprehension and vocabulary. Coursework includes reading texts from various genres and other assignments, while preparing students for college reading success across the disciplines. This course may also be offered for credit, as READ015.