The IU School of Education in Bloomington has received a top rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality that recognizes our effective preparation of future teachers to use science of reading approaches.

“These ratings represent our unwavering dedication to continue to train the best teachers across Indiana at the highest standards,” said Dean Anastasia Morrone.

“As the leading provider of teachers in the state, we remain deeply committed to offering rigorous and robust coursework and field experiences that align with the Department of Education's literacy goals mandated for all schools in Indiana,” said Karen Wohlwend, professor at the IU School of Education.

Reviewers with the NCTQ evaluated course syllabi and teaching materials across multiple reading instruction courses, measuring how well teacher preparation programs were implementing science of reading approaches. This review, said Wohlwend, is only one part of a more extensive Indiana Department of Education evaluation process that demonstrated the SOE’s compliance with the state legislation and the strength of our programs.

“The IU School of Education in Bloomington is doing an excellent job preparing future elementary, early childhood, and special education teachers to provide effective reading instruction. We were able to respond quickly to Indiana’s science of reading legislation because we were already teaching effective instructional strategies,” Wolhwend said.

Close collaboration among faculty and teacher preparation programs at the SOE, as well as across IU campuses, continue to strengthen these efforts. The school also benefits from funds provided by the Lilly Foundation through the Advancement of Science of Reading in Indiana grant. This grant has allowed faculty to infuse science of reading approaches effectively and greatly aided cross-campus coordination.