National Council on Teacher Quality Report Shows USM Earns High Score in Early Reading Preparation
Wed, 02/05/2020 - 11:45am | By: Kendra Ablaza
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM)’s School of Education earned one of the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ)’s highest scores in Early Reading for its Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Certification (Licensure) program, according to the 2020 edition of NCTQ’s annual Teacher Prep Review released last week.
USM’s program earned an A grade in Early Reading, and was one of about 230 undergraduate education programs in universities nationwide to do so. Among Mississippi's public universities, Jackson State University, Mississippi University for Women, and Mississippi Valley State University also join USM in earning an A grade. Delta State University and University of Mississippi earned an A+ grade, while Alcorn State University and Mississippi State University earned a B grade.
The council’s annual Teacher Prep Review and Early Reading standards identify programs whose teachers are most likely to produce the best academic outcomes for their students. These top programs provide explicit and repeated instruction on five components of reading instruction, high-quality textbooks that accurately detail the principles of scientifically-based reading practices, and opportunities for teacher candidates to demonstrate mastery through in-class assignments, tests, and fieldwork, according to NCTQ.
“It is an honor to be recognized by NCTQ for the work we do,” Dr. Trent Gould, Dean of USM’s College of Education and Human Sciences, said. “The credit for this accolade goes to the faculty, staff, and leadership of the University’s School of Education. It is a privilege to work with such a distinguished team of professionals.”
The council says a program has a strong design if coursework lectures and practice not only cover essential components of effective reading instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies,) but every required course also achieves top scores on each of the components. In addition, textbooks used in its reading courses must support effective reading instruction and be rated “acceptable” in the textbook evaluation process.
NCTQ has reviewed programs, made recommendations, and highlighted key elements for undergraduate and graduate programs for elementary, secondary, and special education since 2006.
USM elementary education students who complete the program are eligible to apply for a Mississippi Educator's License in elementary education with an endorsement in at least one content area and a supplemental reading endorsement. Areas of endorsement require the completion of 21 hours of coursework in one or more of the following areas: English, social studies, foreign language, mathematics, and science.
For more information on USM’s elementary education program, visit usm.edu/education.