Preparing future teachers to help children become confident readers begins long before they enter their own classrooms. That preparation starts in university teacher education programs, where aspiring educators develop the instructional knowledge and practical skills needed to teach literacy effectively. Nicholls State University recently earned national recognition for its commitment to this mission after receiving an “A” rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for the quality of its elementary teacher preparation program in reading instruction, as per this news release from the school.

The recognition places Nicholls among institutions nationwide that have demonstrated a strong commitment to preparing future elementary educators using evidence-based literacy practices. The university’s elementary education program was highlighted in NCTQ’s national report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, which evaluated how effectively colleges and universities prepare teacher candidates to teach reading using research-supported instructional methods.

Rather than relying on outdated approaches, the report found that Nicholls fully aligns its curriculum with the science of reading, an evidence-based framework supported by decades of cognitive science, education research, and classroom practice. The science of reading focuses on five essential components that help children develop strong literacy skills: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Together, these foundational skills help students learn not only how to decode words but also how to understand and analyze what they read.

Faculty within the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences have prioritized building a program that equips graduates with practical instructional strategies they can implement immediately upon entering Louisiana classrooms. Dean Dr. Kimi Reynolds explained that the college has focused on ensuring future educators graduate fully prepared to make an immediate impact on student learning. She noted that the national recognition reflects the faculty’s commitment to addressing literacy challenges by preparing teachers with the knowledge and instructional practices children need to become successful readers from their first day in the classroom.

To determine its ratings, NCTQ conducted a comprehensive review of Nicholls’ elementary education curriculum. Evaluators examined course syllabi, lecture materials, assigned readings, classroom assessments, and student teaching experiences to determine whether future teachers were being trained using instructional methods supported by current literacy research. Programs also were evaluated on their ability to avoid outdated teaching practices that research has shown to be less effective for developing early reading skills.

The university’s recognition also reflects broader efforts occurring across Louisiana to strengthen literacy instruction. In recent years, the state has expanded its focus on evidence-based reading instruction through teacher professional development, literacy screeners, instructional coaching, and high-quality classroom materials. Universities such as Nicholls play an essential role in these statewide initiatives by ensuring newly certified teachers enter the profession already familiar with these instructional practices rather than learning them only after beginning their careers.

For aspiring educators, strong teacher preparation offers benefits that extend well beyond graduation. Programs grounded in research help future teachers develop classroom management skills, effective lesson planning strategies, assessment techniques, and instructional flexibility needed to support learners with diverse backgrounds and abilities. This preparation is particularly important in elementary classrooms, where early literacy instruction influences long-term academic success across every subject area.

As schools continue working to improve reading achievement, the quality of teacher preparation programs will remain a critical factor in student success. By earning national recognition for its reading instruction curriculum, Nicholls State University has demonstrated its commitment to preparing educators who are equipped with the knowledge, practical experience, and evidence-based instructional strategies necessary to help Louisiana’s youngest learners become confident, capable readers.

Readers interested in learning more about the national rankings can explore the full Teacher Prep Review through the National Council on Teacher Quality. Additional information about teacher education programs offered through theNicholls State University College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is also available online.

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