UNO Educator Preparation Program Among Top in the U.S. for Preparing Future Teachers in the Science of Reading
The UNO Educator Preparation Program Earns an “A” Letter Grade in New Report from the National Council on Teacher Quality.
- contact: College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
- email: unocehhs@unomaha.edu
Omaha – The undergraduate Educator Preparation Program at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) 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.
The program, housed in UNO's College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, is among just 23% nationwide and one in Nebraska 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, a science-based, interdisciplinary approach to literacy instruction drawing from decades of research into how children learn to read.
We are proud of this rating and the work we have done to ensure that teacher candidates develop knowledge of evidence-based literacy practices and methods to effectively teach all children to read."
National data shows that more than one-third of fourth grade students—over 1.3 million children—cannot read at a basic level. By preparing teachers in the methods that research has shown to work best, UNO is working to change these results.
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 UNO. 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.
While some portion of children will learn to read naturally, 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. UNO is honored to be recognized among the programs ensuring that future elementary teachers enter the classroom with the knowledge and skills they need to help students become strong readers.
"Helping our teacher candidates teach children to learn to read, but also to love to read and to make sense of what they read, is part of our literacy mission in the Teacher Education Department," explained Kathy Danielson, Ph.D., professor and previous chair of the department.
UNO teacher candidates across three Bachelor of Science in Education degree programs—Elementary Education, Early Childhood Inclusive Education, and Elementary Special Education—receive comprehensive training in scientifically-based reading instruction. These majors are specifically tailored to equip aspiring elementary teachers with the necessary skills to incorporate Science of Reading practices in the classroom.
"We are proud of this rating and the work we have done to ensure that teacher candidates develop knowledge of evidence-based literacy practices and methods to effectively teach all children to read," said Assistant Professor Jennifer Lemke, Ed.D., who leads the UNO Literacy Program.
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 nine in Nebraska. Overall, just 112 programs earned an A and 48 earned an A+.
See the NCTQ report for more information about UNO’s coverage of the Science of Reading and to see how UNO compares to other programs in Nebraska or across the country.
About University of Nebraska Omaha
Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.
About NCTQ
The National Council on Teacher Quality: NCTQ is a nonpartisan research and policy organization on a mission to ensure every child has access to an effective teacher and every teacher has the opportunity to be effective. We believe a strong, diverse teacher workforce is critical for providing all students with equitable educational opportunities. For more information about NCTQ, visit www.nctq.org.