Earn Literacy Micro-Credentials Through Keys to Literacy and Credentials Unlimited
Validate your instructional expertise with competency-based micro-credentials available for four of Keys to Literacy’s evidence-based professional learning courses.
Prove Your Literacy Instruction Skills With Evidence-Based Micro-Credentials
Keys to Literacy partners with Credentials Unlimited to offer educators the opportunity to earn industry-recognized micro-credentials aligned to the Science of Reading and best practices in literacy instruction. Upon completing an eligible Keys to Literacy course, educators can submit their credential assessment through Credentials Unlimited to demonstrate verified proficiency.
Eligible Courses
Keys to Beginning Reading
This course equips educators with the background knowledge needed to teach all components of beginning reading instruction in grades K–5. It integrates the Science of Reading research base—including phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—and provides instructional routines that can be applied with any curriculum.
Drawing on research from multiple fields, the course emphasizes that the Science of Reading is not a program but a comprehensive body of evidence guiding effective instruction.
Keys to Early Writing
Keys to Early Writing focuses on the developmental stages of writing in kindergarten through grade 2 and provides strategies for teaching transcription skills, sentence construction, and introductory writing genres. The course emphasizes that early writing instruction must be systematic and developmentally appropriate, helping young learners progress from drawing and labeling to composing full sentences and simple texts.
Keys to Content Writing
Aligned with The Writing Rope framework, this course provides research-based strategies for teaching writing in grades 4–12 across all subject areas. Educators learn how explicit instruction in critical thinking, syntax, text structure, writing craft, and transcription contributes to skilled writing. The course highlights how writing deepens content understanding—helping students think on paper, clarify ideas, and retain key concepts.
Keys to Adolescent Literacy
Keys to Adolescent Literacy offers a comprehensive understanding of the literacy demands placed on students from upper elementary through high school. Through this course, educators gain insight into the unique needs of adolescent learners and learn evidence-based practices for teaching reading, writing, and discussion skills in all subjects across upper elementary through high school grades. They also gain essential information about effective secondary literacy interventions supported by assessment data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Browse through these FAQs to find answers to commonly raised questions.
If you have a question that you can’t find the answer to, please contact our team.
How many attempts are included?
Each registration includes two attempts.
Is there a deadline to apply after completing a course?
Yes. You have up to one year from your course completion date to submit your credential application.
Where do I submit my application?
All assessments and submissions are processed through the Credentials Unlimited platform.
Do I need to complete the Keys to Literacy course first?
Yes. Credential eligibility is limited to participants who have completed the corresponding course.