MC earns national recognition for preparing future elementary teachers in science of reading

NCTQ's A+ rating signifies MC's elementary teacher preparation program's dedication to ensuring that every teacher it trains is equipped to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of their future students.

The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at Mississippi Christian University has earned an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality for how well it prepares future teachers to teach reading to elementary students.

The NCTQ’s report, “Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation,” published on June 9, spotlights MC for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction.

According to the report, the program is preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension and vocabulary.

According to the NCTQ, teacher preparation, when aligned with research-based instructional methods, is one of the most direct levers available to improve childhood reading proficiency.

MC is part of a growing group of teacher-preparation programs nationwide helping transform how future teachers are trained to teach reading.

Rachel Peeples, interim chair and professor in the MC Department of Teacher Education and Leadership, said the strength of MC’s literacy program is rooted in diverse and deeply committed faculty.

“Our mission is to provide a caring Christian environment that facilitates the acquisition of deep pedagogical knowledge and field-connected skills,” Peeples said. “Earning an A+ from the NCTQ validates our commitment to preparing reflective practitioners who are ready to lead 21st-century classrooms with excellence.

“This recognition reflects our dedication to ensuring that every teacher we train is equipped to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of their future students.”

Heather Peske, NCTQ president, praised MC’s program.

“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,” Peske said.

“Across the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but Mississippi Christian University is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.”

The NCTQ’s methodology is informed by a panel of reading experts, teacher preparation faculty, reading advocates and measurement experts. To evaluate the quality of preparation being provided, a team of experts at the NCTQ analyzed syllabi, including lecture schedules and topics, background reading materials, class assessments, and opportunities to practice instruction in required literacy courses for elementary teacher candidates at MC.

To earn an “A,” programs must demonstrate that coursework for future elementary teachers includes all five core components of scientifically based reading instruction and avoid teaching more than three instructional methods that are unsupported by the research on effective reading instruction.

To earn an A+, programs must exceed those targets and not teach any instructional practices that are unsupported by research.

Peeples credited Jan Hankins and Jo LeVert, early literacy specialists at MC, for their role in helping the department achieve the rating.

“Under their leadership, our multidisciplinary team specializes in the full spectrum of literacy, from foundational reading and writing to the diagnostic precision required to correct reading difficulties,” Peeples said. “This academic rigor is seamlessly integrated into high-quality clinical experiences within our partner districts.”

LeVert said achieving the highest possible rating from the NCTQ reflects the strength of MC’s program, the expertise and dedication of the faculty and the University’s commitment to continuous improvement.

“Most importantly, it signifies that MC provides a high-quality program designed to prepare future educators to make meaningful contributions in the field of education,” LeVert said. “The program equips future educators with the knowledge, skills and practical experience necessary to positively impact their students and effectively serve the school districts and communities in which they will work.

“This rating assures students that they are receiving an exceptional education and are being prepared to succeed in today’s classrooms. Graduates leave the program confident, capable and ready to meet the diverse needs of learners.”

Hankins said prospective undergraduate education majors will take notice of MC’s A+ rating from the NCTQ.

“MC’s School of Education has cultivated a growing legacy of literary leadership throughout our state,” Hankins said. “(This rating) validates our faculty’s commitment to research-aligned instruction and ensures our education students are equipped with proven, evidence-based practices.

“It gives our students a distinct competitive advantage. School districts actively seek out graduates from A+-rated programs because they know these new teachers possess the proven skills to immediately maximize student reading success.”

For more information on MC’s Teacher Education and Leadership programs, visit https://www.mc.edu/academics/departments/education/.