Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment
The Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment (ICLA) measures the knowledge and skills needed for research-based literacy instruction. The ICLA contains four sections administered as a separate exam:
- Structure of Language
- Comprehension
- Assessment
- Writing Process and Knowledge.
Additionally, consistent with the rules of the Idaho State Board of Education, all Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Special Education graduates from the Idaho State University College of Education recommended for the initial Idaho certification must obtain passing scores on all four sections of the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment (I. Structure of Language, II. Comprehension, III. Assessment and IV. Writing Process and Knowledge).
All Secondary Education graduates from the Idaho State University College of Education recommended for the initial Idaho certification must obtain passing scores on sections II and IV of the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment (II. Comprehension and IV. Writing Process and Knowledge).
Qualifying scores are also a graduation requirement for these teacher preparation programs. If pre-service teachers do not pass all sections the first time, only those sections without the required score must be retaken.
Testing Dates
Fall: November 9-December 11, 2020
Spring: March 15-May 7, 2021
Summer: May 31-July 16, 2021
Elementary, Early Childhood, SPED |
Secondary Education |
Masters of Art in Teaching (MAT) |
---|---|---|
Standard I: EDUC 3321 or SPED 4432 |
Standard II: EDUC 4401 |
Standard II, IV: EDUC 5501 |
Standard II: EDUC 3322 |
Standard IV: EDUC 4401 |
Standard I, II, III, IV: EDUC 5519 |
Standard III: EDUC 4419 or SPED 4424 |
||
Standard IV: EDUC 4419 |
- Official scores are uploaded into Taskstream approximately 2 weeks after each testing period closes, however, your grade is reported immediately in Moodle.
- A minimum passing score is 70% for each standard.
- Minimum of 60 days between testing on the same standard
- Each standard is approximately 50 questions - multiple choice.
Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment (ICLA) is required for ALL teacher education candidates at the undergraduate level and in the Master of Arts in Teaching.
For more information or if you have questions, contact the Kent Center at (208) 282-2783 or kentcenter@isu.edu.
Registering for the ICLA Test
- Check your Moodle to see if you are enrolled in the exam you wish to take. You are automatically enrolled when you take one of the literacy courses (EDUC 3321, 3322, 4401, 4419, 5501/5599).
- If you are not registered in Moodle - email kentcenter@isu.edu with your name and the ICLA exam(s) you are planning to take.
Test Proctoring Options
- Select dates for each testing window. Please watch your ISU email for the test date, or contact the Kent Center (208) 282-2783.
- Free.
- Register in Moodle.
Studying for the ICLAs
ICLA Study information is posted in your Praxis Study Materials Moodle Room and your Taskstream account. If you do not see the Praxis Study Materials Moodle Room in your Bengal Web, please email kentcenter@isu.edu.
ICLAs taken outside of ISU
If you took your ICLAs at a different university, please email your scores or letter of completion to kentcenter@isu.edu.
ICLA Standards
Standard I: The teacher demonstrates knowledge of the following foundational concepts, including but not limited to: emergent literacy, concepts of print, phonological awareness, alphabetic principle, phonics, word recognition, fluency, linguistic development, English language acquisition, and home-to-school literacy partnerships. In addition, the candidate demonstrates the ability to apply concepts using research-based best practices in lesson planning and literacy instruction.
Standard I Concepts and Competencies Guide
Standard II: The teacher demonstrates knowledge of fluency, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension strategies. The teacher demonstrates the ability to apply these components by using research-based best practices in all aspects of literacy and/or content area instruction. This includes the ability to: analyze the complexity of text structures; utilize a variety of narrative and informational texts from both print and digital sources; and make instruction accessible to all, including English Language Learners.
Standard II Concepts and Competencies Guide
Standard III: The teacher understands, interprets, and applies informal and formal literacy assessment concepts, strategies, and measures. The teacher uses assessment data to inform and design differentiated literacy instruction. In addition, the teacher demonstrates the ability to use appropriate terminology in communicating pertinent assessment data to a variety of stakeholders.
Standard III Concepts and Competencies Guide
Standard IV: The teacher incorporates writing in his/her instructional content areas(s). The teacher understands, models, and instructs the writing process, including but not limited to: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. The teacher structures frequent, authentic writing opportunities that encompass a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences. The teacher incorporates ethical research practices using multiple resources. The teacher fosters written, visual, and oral communication in a variety of formats.
Standard IV Concepts and Competencies Guide
Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course
The online Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course (ICLC) will meet the needs of individuals that have their teacher certification and are required by Idaho State Department of Certification to either complete the ICLC course or successfully complete the ICLA (Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment) examinations (3).
For more information contact Gabriel Rodriguez at (208) 282-4838 or albion@isu.edu.

Dr. Jamie Webster
Advising Coordinator, Undergraduate Advising Center