Eastern Oregon University Emerges as State Leader in Preparing Teachers to Teach Reading

Eastern Oregon University Emerges as State Leader in Preparing Teachers to Teach Reading

Eastern Oregon University Emerges as State Leader in Preparing Teachers to Teach Reading

LA GRANDE, Ore. - As Oregon works to address some of the lowest reading proficiency rates in the nation, Eastern Oregon University's teacher preparation programs are being recognized as the strongest in the state for preparing educators to teach reading.

A recent article by the Oregon Journalism Project, a nonprofit newsroom covering the state, highlights Eastern Oregon University as a bright spot among Oregon's public universities when it comes to preparing future teachers in the science of reading.

According to the article, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) gave Eastern Oregon University's undergraduate teacher preparation program an "A" for reading foundations in its most recent review of Oregon programs. EOU was the only public university in the state to receive the top grade.

The article, part of a series "Oregon Schools: What Went Wrong," examines the state's ongoing literacy challenges. Currently, only about 40% of Oregon third graders read at grade level, according to state assessments cited in the report.

National experts have long emphasized the importance of teaching reading through research-based methods often referred to as the science of reading, which includes instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

The Oregon Journalism Project reports that EOU's strong performance reflects years of work to align its education curriculum with those evidence-based practices.

The article highlights the contributions of Ronda Fritz, Ed.D., professor of education at Eastern Oregon University, whose efforts helped reshape the university's reading instruction courses to align with research-supported methods.

"I am proud of our literacy team's efforts to shift our programs to evidence-based practices for teaching reading and writing," said Fritz. "We have worked hard over the last few years to ensure that our teacher candidates gain the knowledge and skills they need to be successful. It's nice for that work to be recognized."

Fritz began examining reading instruction more closely after attending a training through the International Dyslexia Association that introduced her to the science of reading. After earning her doctorate and joining the EOU faculty, she redesigned the university's reading curriculum to prepare future teachers.

Today, Eastern Oregon University's teacher preparation programs emphasize evidence-based literacy instruction alongside extensive classroom experience.

EOU's College of Education prepares teachers who serve schools across Oregon, particularly in rural communities where access to well-trained educators is critical. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate pathways designed to prepare educators for classrooms throughout the state.

The Oregon Journalism Project article notes that while many teacher preparation programs nationwide have worked to align with the science of reading, progress has varied across institutions. In an analysis of Oregon programs, Eastern Oregon University emerged as a leading example of how universities can strengthen teacher preparation in literacy instruction.

The full article was produced by the Oregon Journalism Project, a nonprofit newsroom covering the state of Oregon.

An Eastern Oregon University teacher candidate works with an elementary student during a hands-on classroom activity, helping the student complete a puzzle at Imbler Charter School. (Michael K. Dakota/ Eastern Oregon University)