Elementary education program achieves top marks in new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality
The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at Adams State University has earned an A+ from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for how well they prepare future teachers to teach reading to elementary students.
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education: A+ (View grade page)
The report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, published on June 9, spotlights Adams State University for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction. Specifically, this means the program is preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, and avoids many instructional practices that research has shown to be ineffective or counterproductive for teaching children to read.
A child’s ability to read proficiently in the early grades shapes everything that comes next in school and in life, yet according to NAEP data, one in three fourth graders in Colorado cannot read at a basic level. Teacher preparation is one of the most direct levers available to change that—but only if it is aligned to the research-based instructional methods that have been proven to help most students become successful readers.
Adams State University is part of a growing group of teacher preparation programs nationwide helping transform how future teachers are trained to teach reading.
“We are pleased to receive this national recognition for our work in preparing high quality elementary teachers,” said School of Education Director Curtis Garcia, Ph.D. “We embrace the research behind the science of reading and out faculty has invested many hours in training and curriculum development to ensure that completers of our program are fully prepared to help students become successful readers.”
Adams State’s curriculum for elementary teacher candidates includes two courses dedicated to the science of reading and reading/writing connections. The courses are taught by adjunct faculty with multiple years of experience in elementary reading instruction and literacy coaching.
“Every child deserves a teacher who has been well prepared to teach reading, and every teacher deserves the opportunity to enter the classroom ready to help students succeed,” said NCTQ President Heather Peske. “Across the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but Adams State University is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.”
NCTQ’s methodology is informed by a panel of reading experts, teacher preparation faculty, reading advocates, and measurement experts. 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 elementary teacher candidates at Adams State University.
To earn an “A,” programs needed to demonstrate that coursework for future elementary teachers includes all five core components of scientifically based reading instruction and avoid teaching more than three instructional methods that are unsupported by the research on effective reading instruction. To earn an A+, programs needed to exceed those targets and not teach any instructional practices that are unsupported by research.
See NCTQ’s report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation for more information about Adams State University’s coverage of the science of reading and to see how Adams State University compares to other programs in Colorado or across the country.
About Adams State University
Throughout its history, Adams State has been crucial to enhancing educational opportunity, economic development, and cultural enrichment in the San Luis Valley and surrounding region. The University’s driving purpose is to provide equitable access to education for all. As Colorado’s premier Hispanic Serving Institution, Adams State draws on its rural location in the San Luis Valley, to serve and empower all students, especially those from historically underserved populations.
About NCTQ
The National Council on Teacher Quality: NCTQ is a nonpartisan research and policy organization on a mission to ensure every child has access to an effective teacher and every teacher has the opportunity to be effective. We believe a strong, diverse teacher workforce is critical for providing all students with equitable educational opportunities. Fore more information about NCTQ, visit www.nctq.org.
