Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment (ICLA)
The Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessments (ICLA) measure the knowledge and skills needed for research- and evidence-based literacy instruction throughout K-12. The ICLAs consist of five separate exams aligned to the five Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Standards (ICLS):
1. Foundational Literacy Concepts
2. Fluency, Vocabulary Development, and Comprehension
3. Literacy Assessment Concepts
4. Writing Process
5. Diverse Reading & Writing Profiles — Reading & Writing Difficulties
Consistent with the rules of the Idaho State Board of Education, all Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Deaf Education graduates from the Idaho State University College of Education recommended for the initial Idaho certification must obtain passing scores on all five Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessments.
All Secondary Education, Music Education, and Physical Education graduates from the Idaho State University College of Education recommended for the initial Idaho certification must obtain passing scores on Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessments 2, 4, and 5.
Testing Requirements
|
Elementary, Early Childhood, SPED |
Secondary Education |
MAT, MSPED, MDHH |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard 1: EDUC 3321 |
Standard 2: EDUC 4401 |
Standard 2, 4: EDUC 5501 |
|
Standard 2: EDUC 3322 |
Standard 4: EDUC 4401 |
Standard 1, 2, 3, 4: EDUC 5519 |
|
Standard 3: EDUC 4419 |
Standard 5: On your own |
Standard 5: On your own |
|
Standard 4: EDUC 4419 |
||
|
Standard 5: On your own |
Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment (ICLA) is required for ALL teacher education candidates at the undergraduate level and in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Masters in Special Education (MSPED), and Masters in Deaf Education (MDHH).
For more information or if you have questions, contact the Kent Center at (208) 282-2783 or kentcenter@isu.edu.
Reminders
- Spring Student Teaching
- Feb 14 | Last day to take the test and retest (March 31) to make the April 1 student teaching deadline
- Fall Student Teaching
- April 1 | Deadline for Fall 2026 student teaching eligibility documentation
ICLA Study information is posted in Canvas. If you do not see the information, please email kentcenter@isu.edu.
Recorded Study Sessions
ICLA Standard 1 (Elementary) | Facilitator: Michelle Schoeder | Materials coming soon!
ICLA Standard 2 (Elementary) | Facilitator: Joanne Toevs | Standard 2 study materials
ICLA Standard 3 (Elementary) | Facilitator: Joanne Toevs | Standard 3 study materials
ICLA Standard 4 (Elementary) | Facilitator: Joanne Toevs | Standard 4 study materials
ICLA Standard 5 (Elementary and Secondary) | Facilitator: Michelle Schroeder | Standard 5 study materials
ICLA Standard 2 & Standard 4 (Secondary) | Facilitator: Suzanne Beasterfield | Standard 2 & 4 study materials
Option 1: HonorLock (on-demand, free)
- Prepare Your Browser and Extension:
- Ensure you are using the Chrome browser.
- Install the Honorlock Chrome extension.
- Start the Exam:
- Open your Canvas course and click on Honorlock in the course navigation.
- Find the exam and click Launch Proctoring to begin the authentication process.
- If you are not yet registered for the ‘course’, email the Kent Center (kentcenter@isu.edu)
- Complete the Authentication:
- Take a picture of yourself and your student ID.
- Complete a 360-degree room scan to show your testing environment.
- Begin Your Exam:
- Once authentication is complete, your exam will begin. Honorlock will record your webcam, microphone, and screen throughout the session.
Option 2: Testing Center ($15)
- Call ahead to schedule your exam
Make sure you schedule your RETAKE exam after the required 45-day window (ICLA Countdown Calendar)
If you have testing accommodations, please contact Disability Services (disabilityservices@isu.edu)
- A final score will be presented after the test - individual question responses cannot be reviewed.
- Official scores are uploaded into Taskstream approximately one week after the first Friday of each month; however, your score is recorded immediately in Canvas.
Minimum of 45 days between testing on the same standard. (ICLA Countdown Calendar)
Retakes are available year-round (45 days between attempts)
- First attempts will be taken as part of your Literacy course listed above.
- Standard 5 will be taken on your own time and not part of a course
- All tests will be live proctored (ProctorU or ISU Testing Centers)
- Minimum passing score is 70% for each standard.
- Standards 1-4 are 50 questions - multiple choice (2 hours).
- Standard 5 is 25 questions - multiple choice (1 hour).
- ICLA Countdown Calendar
If you took your ICLAs at a different university, please email your scores or letter of completion to kentcenter@isu.edu.
Teachers who need to renew their license will need to take the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course (ICLC).
For more information, contact the Albion Center for Professional Development at albion@isu.edu.
Contact an Advisor
Estee Pollard
Advising Coordinator
Office: College of Education, Kent Center 209
Ask me about: Advising questions, teacher certification