The W earns national recognition for preparing future elementary teachers in the science of reading

The School of Education at Mississippi University for Women has received an A rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) in recognition of its success in preparing future elementary educators to teach reading effectively.

“The School of Education’s dedicated faculty continually prepares outstanding educators in reading and the foundational skills upon which all learning is built,” said Dr. Martin Hatton, dean of the School of Education at The W. “This national recognition, combined with the Mississippi Department of Education’s recognition of the university as a state leader in literacy education, highlights the excellence of our teacher preparation programs and our commitment to developing the educators who will shape future generations.”

The report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, published June 9, spotlights The W’s undergraduate elementary education program for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction.

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.

“Every child deserves a teacher who knows how to help them become a successful reader. This recognition reflects the intentional work of our faculty, teacher candidates and school partners to ensure future educators are prepared with the knowledge, skills and practical experiences needed to provide effective, evidence-based literacy instruction,” said Dr. Kelly Ballard, chair of The W’s Department of Education. “We are proud that The W’s Elementary Education program is being recognized for preparing teachers who are ready to make a meaningful impact on reading achievement for children across Mississippi and beyond.”

According to National Assessment of Educational Progress data, one in three fourth graders in Mississippi cannot read at a basic level, and a child’s ability to read proficiently in the early grades shapes everything that comes next in school and in life. 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.

The W is part of a growing group of teacher preparation programs nationwide helping transform how future teachers are trained to teach reading. The elementary education program at The W prepares future teachers to lead classrooms in grades K–6. With a strong focus on literacy, math, science and social studies, candidates build the knowledge and practical skills to meet the needs of diverse learners. The SOE’s Block-and-Residency model ensures students don’t just learn about teaching; they practice it continuously. By the time they enter their internship semester, candidates have already built confidence and skill in real classrooms, making them classroom-ready on day one.

“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 Mississippi University for Women 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 Mississippi University for Women.

See NCTQ’s report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation for more information about Mississippi University for Women’s coverage of the science of reading and to see how The W compares to other programs in the state or across the country.