Southern University receives national recognition for excellence in teacher preparation

The School of Education at Southern University and A&M College has received national recognition for its development of future educators. The School's undergraduate elementary education program has earned an A+ from the National Council on Teacher Quality for how well it prepares graduates to teach reading to elementary students.

Southern’s Bachelor of Science in elementary education for grades 1-5 received the top rating in NCTQ’s Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, published June 9.

The report highlights Southern University for meeting standards set by literacy experts for effective reading instruction. The program prepares aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension and vocabulary, while avoiding instructional practices shown to be ineffective or counterproductive.

“This recognition affirms Southern University’s commitment to preparing future educators with the knowledge and tools they need to make a meaningful impact in the classroom,” said John K. Pierre, chancellor of Southern University and A&M College. “Ensuring our graduates are grounded in the science of reading is essential to improving student outcomes and strengthening communities across Louisiana and beyond.”

The recognition comes as 40 percent of fourth graders in Louisiana cannot read at a basic level, according to National Assessment of Educational Progress data. Southern University is part of a growing number of teacher preparation programs nationwide working to strengthen how future educators are trained to teach reading.

“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 Southern University and A&M College 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 programs, NCTQ analyzed syllabi, course materials, assessments, assignments and opportunities for practical instruction in required literacy courses for elementary teacher candidates.

To earn an “A,” programs must demonstrate that coursework includes all five core components of scientifically based reading instruction and avoids teaching more than three unsupported instructional methods. To earn an A+, programs must exceed those standards and avoid teaching any methods not supported by research.

See NCTQ’s report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, for more information about Southern’s coverage of the science of reading and to see how the university compares to other programs in Louisiana and across the country.