USA Earns “A” For Elementary Reading Instruction

The University of South Alabama (USA) has announced that its undergraduate and graduate teacher preparation programs have been recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for its preparation of future teachers in how to teach reading, earning an “A” in NCTQ’s new report, Teacher Prep Review: Strengthening Elementary Reading Instruction. USA’s programs are among only 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. To evaluate the quality of preparation being provided, NCTQ analyzed syllabi, including lecture schedules and topics, background reading materials, class assessments, assignment and opportunities to practice instruction in required literacy courses for undergraduate and graduate elementary teacher candidates at USA. The school’s programs met NCTQ’s targets for coverage of the five core components of scientifically based reading instruction—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension—and did not teach more than three instructional methods unsupported by research on effective reading instruction. NCTQ evaluated 693 traditional undergraduate and graduate programs across the country, including 18 in Alabama. Overall, only 112 programs earned an “A.”