Campbell University has earned an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for the quality of its preparation of future teachers to teach reading to elementary students.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Certification received an outstanding grade in the latest NCTQ Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation.

The report spotlights Campbell for meeting literacy experts' standards for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction, preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction. Featuring phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. While avoiding many instructional practices research has shown to be ineffective or counterproductive.

Campbell's Elementary Education program has taken intentional steps to strengthen literacy preparation: revising literacy instruction courses, increasing emphasis on evidence-based practices, and expanding opportunities for teacher candidates to apply scientifically based reading instruction in clinical settings.

As a result, candidates enter the profession ready to meet the literacy needs of diverse learners in elementary classrooms. Because the stakes are high.

A child's ability to read proficiently in the early grades shapes everything that follows in school and in life, yet 4 in 10 fourth graders in North Carolina cannot read at a basic level according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Teacher preparation is one of the most direct levers for changing that outcome.

But only when it aligns with research-based instructional methods proven to help most students become successful readers.

"The School of Education & Human Sciences is proud of the work done by our undergraduate elementary teacher education faculty as they prepare our future teachers to effectively teach reading to elementary students," said Dean Al Bryant. "The teaching of reading is extremely important, and it crosses over into every aspect of a student's educational development."

"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 Campbell University is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like."

To evaluate Campbell's program, a team of NCTQ analysts guided by a panel of reading experts, teacher preparation faculty, reading advocates, and measurement experts reviewed syllabi, background reading materials, class assessments, assignments, and opportunities for practice teaching in required literacy courses for elementary teacher candidates.

"Preparing effective literacy teachers has long been a priority within Campbell University's Elementary Education program," said Dr. Connie Chester, Director of Teacher Education. We are honored to receive this recognition from NCTQ, which reflects our faculty's commitment to equipping future teachers with research-based instructional practices grounded in the science of reading."

Learn more about NCTQ's report for more information about Campbell University's national recognition.