The elementary education undergraduate program at Bemidji State University has been recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for its rigorous preparation of future teachers in how to teach reading, earning an “A” grade in NCTQ’s new report, Teacher Prep Review: Strengthening Elementary Reading Instruction.

BSU is among just 23% nationwide and two Minnesota universities to earn an “A” from NCTQ for meeting standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction—often called the “science of reading.”

According to the NCTQ, national data shows that more than one-third of fourth grade students, or over 1.3 million children, cannot read at a basic level. NCTQ’s rating recognizes university programs that utilize instruction methods that have been proven to improve this issue.

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 undergraduate elementary teacher candidates at BSU. To earn an “A,” programs needed to meet NCTQ’s targets for coverage of the five core components of scientifically based reading instruction—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension—and not teach more than three instructional methods that are unsupported by the research on effective reading instruction.

Over five decades of research have established the components of explicit, scientifically based reading instruction that help most students become successful readers. Research suggests that over 90% of children could learn to read if their teachers used instructional methods grounded in the science of reading.

The new NCTQ analysis of teacher preparation programs’ coverage of the science of reading was developed over the course of two years, involving teams of literacy experts, researchers, teacher preparation leaders and educators. NCTQ evaluated 693 traditional undergraduate and graduate programs across the country, including 14 in Minnesota. Overall, just 112 programs earned an A and 48 earned an A+.

See the NCTQ report for more information about BSU’s coverage of the science of reading and to see how it compares to other programs in Minnesota or across the country.

About Elementary Education

Bemidji State University offers two pathways to elementary education licensure for teaching students in Kindergarten through grade 6, including on-campus and online/hybrid options. Both programs allow students to gain the experience, knowledge and skills to teach elementary school students.