Alvernia one of three universities in PA to earn an 鈥淎鈥 in latest NCTQ report
The early childhood education program at 媚娘直播 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 鈥淎鈥 grade in NCTQ鈥檚 new report, .
"媚娘直播 is committed to helping our students make a positive difference in the world and in the lives of others by providing them with experiential learning opportunities and the tools they need to be successful teachers,鈥 said 媚娘直播 President-Elect, Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. 鈥淲e are grateful for this grade from the NCTQ, for our partnerships with school districts in Berks County and for our talented faculty that allow us to adequately prepare our future teachers as well as share innovative approaches to reshaping the PK-12 environment into student-centered schools of tomorrow.鈥
The program is among just 23% nationwide and three in Pennsylvania to earn an 鈥淎鈥 from NCTQ for meeting standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction often called the 鈥渟cience of reading.鈥 To earn an 鈥淎,鈥 programs needed to meet NCTQ鈥檚 targets for coverage of the five core components of scientifically based reading instruction鈥攑honemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension鈥攁nd not teach more than three instructional methods that are unsupported by the research on effective reading instruction.
鈥淲e are thrilled to receive an 鈥楢鈥 grade from NCTQ,鈥 said 媚娘直播 Dean of the College of Humanities, Education & Social Sciences,鈥 Elizabeth Matteo, Ph.D. 鈥淭eacher preparation in all areas, and especially reading, which is the foundation for all student learning, has been a priority of our education program. This is the result of a tremendous faculty effort which has involved consultation with local school districts, expertise of teaching best practices, and the highest commitment to student learning.鈥
show that more than one-third of fourth grade students, over 1.3 million children, cannot read at a basic level. Undergraduate education programs, such as 媚娘直播's, that emphasize evidence based instructional practices can have an impact. 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 媚娘直播.
鈥淭eaching reading is integrated into the curriculum and field experiences at every stage of our education program,鈥 said Chair of the Education Department, Elena Lawrick, Ph.D. 鈥淪tudents learn the art of teaching literacy through their diverse field experience, coursework, science-based curriculum and experiential learning. This helps us prepare prospective teachers to respond to the ever-growing demands of the teaching profession and to share 鈥榢nowledge joined with love,鈥 which is at the core of 媚娘直播鈥檚 mission.鈥
The education department has two early childhood education (ECE) tracks leading to bachelor鈥檚 degree with Grades PK-4 and dual Grades PK-4 and Special Education (PK-12) certifications. The dual certification allows program graduates to work as elementary educators (preschool through Grade 4), special education teachers and learning support specialists (preschool through Grade 12) in public and private educational institutions. Clinical experiences for both tracks start during the first semester and occur in diverse educational environments including school districts, educational organizations, and after-school programs.
See for more information about 媚娘直播鈥檚 coverage of the science of reading and to see how 媚娘直播 compares to other programs in Pennsylvania or across the country.