Posted: Tuesday, June 13, 2023

The undergraduate teacher preparation program at the University of Evansville (UE) has been recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for its rigorous preparation of future teachers in how to teach reading, earning an "A" grade in NCTQ's new report, Teacher Prep Review: Strengthening Elementary Reading Instruction.

The program is among just 23% nationwide to earn an "A" from NCTQ for meeting standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction-often called the "science of reading."

National data shows that more than one-third of fourth grade students-over 1.3 million children-cannot read at a basic level. By preparing teachers in the methods that research has shown to work best, we can change these devastating results.

To evaluate the quality of preparation being provided, a team of experts at NCTQ analyzed syllabi, including lecture schedules and topics, background reading materials, class assessments, assignments, and opportunities to practice instruction in required literacy courses for undergraduate elementary teacher candidates at University of Evansville. To earn an "A," programs needed to meet NCTQ's targets for coverage of the five core components of scientifically based reading instruction-phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension-and not teach more than three instructional methods that are unsupported by the research on effective reading instruction.

While some portion of children will learn to read naturally, over five decades of research have established the components of explicit, scientifically based reading instruction that help most students become successful readers. Research suggests that over 90% of children could learn to read if their teachers used instructional methods grounded in the science of reading.

University of Evansville is proud to be recognized among the programs ensuring that future elementary teachers enter the classroom equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to help students become strong readers.

"The University of Evansville is dedicated to equipping future teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to make a lasting impact on students' reading abilities," said Sally Busby, Clinical Assistant Professor of Education. "We are honored to receive this recognition from the National Council on Teacher Quality, affirming our commitment to delivering rigorous teacher preparation in the science of reading. By adhering to evidence-based instructional methods, we aim to empower teachers to transform the lives of their students and address the critical issue of literacy in our society."

The new NCTQ analysis of teacher preparation programs' coverage of the science of reading was developed over the course of two years, involving teams of literacy experts, researchers, teacher preparation leaders, and educators. NCTQ evaluated 693 traditional undergraduate and graduate programs across the country, including 18 in Indiana. Overall, just 112 programs earned an A and 48 earned an A+.

See the NCTQ report for more information about University of Evansville's coverage of the science of reading and to see how University of Evansville compares to other programs in Indiana or across the country.

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