The Education Department at UNC Asheville has been recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) as among the best in the nation in preparing future elementary teachers to teach children to read, earning an A+ distinction in NCTQ’s new report, “Teacher Prep Review: Strengthening Elementary Reading Instruction.”
UNC Asheville was one of only 48 undergraduate education programs in the nation and five in North Carolina highlighted for going above and beyond the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction—often called the “science of reading.”
“The recognition from NCTQ is very affirming of the work we do to prepare our students to be effective literacy teachers,” said Karen Cole, professor of education at UNC Asheville. “Our rating on the NCTQ assessment provides evidence that UNC Asheville licensure candidates can and should be confident that they will become highly skilled in the area of literacy instruction.”
To earn this recognition, UNC Asheville exceeded NCTQ’s standard of adequate coverage, determined in consultation with literacy experts, for all five core components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
“The state of North Carolina has undertaken this initiative to switch the way we think about the teaching of reading, particularly our elementary-age students,” said Kim Brown, associate professor of education and coordinator of the K-6 licensure program at UNC Asheville. “What the ‘science of reading’ is teaching teachers is not just, ‘here’s how you teach reading, here are some materials, go teach it.’ They’re actually getting into the way that the brain processes language and the different facets of how students learn how to read.”
UNC Asheville’s program was designed and implemented by Cole and Brown, with the assistance of Coordinator of Field Placements Rebecca Bodenheimer and the support of Tiece Ruffin, chair of the Education Department, over the course of two academic years. Their work involved revising curriculum and developing new courses that will provide foundational knowledge to teacher licensure candidates. Cole and Brown completed extensive two-year training on the science of reading called LETRS. This training is the same as what is being provided to K-6 teachers across the state.
“We have always strived to put the best teachers forward for the state of North Carolina, and for our region,” Brown said. “From the very first course in our department, we put students in the field for field experiences. They are constantly in classrooms observing, tutoring, and teaching their own lessons. They’re very happy to be getting the literacy instruction, because when they’re in the classroom, they’re seeing the teaching emphasizing literacy. It’s in math, science, and social studies instruction; it’s everywhere.”
UNC Asheville’s unique K-6 teacher licensure program gives students the opportunity to attain a teaching license while earning a bachelor’s degree in the subject of their choice. With a liberal arts foundation, UNC Asheville graduates are teachers who have broad perspectives; who think critically, reflectively and creatively; who are humane and committed to meeting the learning needs of all students; and who guide students using active inquiry to become effective and productive citizens in the 21st century.
“This NCTQ report highlights and affirms the overall quality of the elementary K-6 licensure program, our literacy courses, and competent instructors as they prepare effective, highly skilled elementary teachers for today’s diverse and inclusive classrooms,” said Ruffin.
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