MSU education program recognized in Teacher Prep Review

Morehead State University’s Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (P-5) program was recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) in its 2020 Teacher Prep Review, specifically on the preparation it provides to elementary teacher candidates in how to teach children to read.  

This program was part of a small group – only about a quarter of programs nationwide – to qualify for an “A” by providing a combination of the following:  

• Explicit instruction on each of the five components of reading instruction;  
• Support for instruction with high-quality textbooks that accurately detail established principles of scientifically based reading practices; and,  
• Evidence that teacher candidates must demonstrate mastery through in-class assignments, tests and fieldwork.  

“I am exceedingly proud that MSU ranks in the top 26% of institutions offering early reading within traditional elementary programs. I regularly hear from alumni and school district personnel about the high quality of reading preparation MSU students receive and it is gratifying to see that it is recognized at a national level as well,” said Dr. Christopher Miller, dean and professor in MSU’s College of Education. “We have amazing faculty in education that focus on trying to prepare our students to become the best possible teachers in the field. This recognition demonstrates the quality of the hard work our faculty put towards teacher preparation.”  

The NCTQ Teacher Prep Review evaluates the quality of programs that provide preservice preparation of teachers, including both traditional and nontraditional programs. The university-based and college-based preparation programs that were assessed are responsible for producing 99% of traditionally prepared teachers.   

MSU’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Elementary (P-5) program prepares future teachers to provide quality, research-based instruction to children in primary through fifth grade. Students work with faculty members who have years of experience working in P-12 schools before teaching in higher education. Class sizes are small to foster close interaction with professors and other students in the classroom, providing opportunities for individual mentoring to support growth as an educator.  

For more about MSU’s College of Education and its programs, call 606-783-2162 or visit www.moreheadstate.edu/education.