Winston-Salem State University earns national recognition for preparing future elementary teachers in the science of reading
WSSU elementary education program achieves top marks in new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality
The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at Winston-Salem State University has earned an A+ from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for how well it prepares future educators to teach reading to elementary students.
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Certification: A+ (View grade page)
The report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, published June 9, spotlights Winston-Salem State University for meeting standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction. Specifically, this means the program is preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension and vocabulary, and avoids many instructional practices research has shown to be ineffective or counterproductive for teaching children to read.
A child’s ability to read proficiently in the early grades shapes everything that comes next in school and in life, yet according to NAEP data, four in 10 fourth graders in North Carolina cannot read at a basic level. Teacher preparation is one of the most direct levers available to change that—but only if it is aligned to the research-based instructional methods that have been proven to help most students become successful readers.
WSSU is now among a growing number of teacher preparation programs nationwide helping to transform the way future educators are trained to teach reading.
“We’re pleased with this result,” said Dr. Kimberly D. Pemberton, an associate professor of Elementary Education at WSSU and former department chair. Pemberton’s work focuses on early childhood literacy, edTPA coordination and preparing the next generation of Black STEM teachers. “If students are unable to effectively teach reading to today’s students, it will affect those students’ learning in other subjects. We’re seeking to improve at all costs in all areas.”
WSSU’s A+ from NCTQ is the culmination of steady improvement over previous years. Adjustments were made with three courses within the department, including a new requirement that all education majors complete SPE (Special Education) 3325: Methods of Enhancing Reading Skills for Student with Exceptional Needs.
“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 Winston-Salem State University is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.”
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 NCTQ analyzed syllabi, including lecture schedules and topics, background reading materials, class assessments, assignments and opportunities to practice instruction in required literacy courses for elementary teacher candidates at WSSU.
To earn an “A,” programs needed to demonstrate 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 needed to exceed those targets and not teach any instructional practices unsupported by research.
“There is a framework to evaluate how we are doing,” said Dr. Cynthia Wooten, an associate professor at WSSU. “The credit doesn’t go to one person. It was a team effort.”
About NCTQThe 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.
