Minot State earns an A+ in preparing teachers to teach reading from NCTQ

MINOT, N.D. - Minot State University's teacher education program has earned an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for its preparation of future elementary educators in reading instruction.

The recognition comes as part of NCTQ's 2026 Teacher Prep Review, which evaluates how well teacher preparation programs equip future teachers with evidence-based reading instruction practices aligned with the science of reading.

"We are deeply committed to preparing our students to teach reading well to all learners and are happy to have been recognized for that dedication," said Lisa Borden-King, MSU associate professor and director of the Teacher Licensure Program.

The A+ designation is awarded to programs that demonstrate exceptional preparation in the five core components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

NCTQ's review examines teacher preparation programs across the nation and evaluates course materials, assignments, assessments, and clinical experiences to determine how effectively institutions prepare teacher candidates to teach reading using research-based practices.

According to NCTQ, programs earning an A+ not only adequately cover all five components of reading instruction but also exceed the organization's benchmarks and avoid teaching practices that run contrary to current reading research.

Minot State was one of 227 institutions to earn an A+ nationwide.

Minot State's teacher education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and prepare educators for careers in classrooms across the region and nation. For more information about Minot State's teacher education programs, visit www.minotstateu.edu/teu.