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Jax State Earns National Recognition for Excellence in Science of Reading Preparation

Jax State's elementary education programs achieve top marks in new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality

Jacksonville, AL (06/23/2026) — The graduate and undergraduate elementary teacher preparation programs at Jacksonville State University (Jax State) have earned A grades from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for how well they prepare future teachers to teach reading to elementary students.

  • Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary /Early Childhood Education: A+ (View grade page)
  • Alternative Class A Program: Master of Science in Education: Elementary Education (K-6): A (View grade page)

The report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, spotlights Jax State and its College of Education and Professional Studies for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction. Specifically, this means the programs are preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, and avoids many instructional practices that research has shown to be ineffective or counterproductive for teaching children to read.

A child's ability to read proficiently in the early grades shapes everything that comes next in school and in life, yet according to NAEP data, four in ten fourth graders in Alabama cannot read at a basic level. Teacher preparation is one of the most direct levers available to change that-but only if it is aligned to the research-based instructional methods that have been proven to help most students become successful readers.

Jax State is part of a growing group of teacher preparation programs nationwide that are helping transform how future teachers are trained to teach reading.

"At Jax State, preparing outstanding educators is central to our mission and our history," said Dr. Christie Shelton, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. "This recognition affirms the dedication of our faculty and the quality of our teacher preparation programs. We are committed to ensuring our graduates enter the classroom equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to help every child become a successful reader."

Founded as a teacher-training institution in 1883, Jacksonville State University has a long tradition of preparing educators who serve communities throughout Alabama and beyond. The College of Education and Professional Studies continues that legacy by emphasizing evidence-based instruction, extensive clinical experiences, and strong partnerships with local school systems to prepare highly effective teachers.

"Learning to read is one of the most important milestones in a child's education, and teachers play a critical role in that journey," said Dr. Kimberly Gaiters-White, dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies. "We are proud that NCTQ has recognized the strength of our programs and the work of our faculty to align preparation with the science of reading. Our goal is for every graduate to leave Jax State ready to make a meaningful impact on student learning from day one."

"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 Jacksonville State University 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 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 elementary teacher candidates at Jacksonville State University.

To earn an "A," programs needed to demonstrate that coursework for future elementary teachers includes all five core components of scientifically based reading instruction and avoid teaching more than three instructional methods that are unsupported by the research on effective reading instruction. To earn an A+, programs needed to exceed those targets and not teach any instructional practices that are unsupported by research.

See NCTQ's report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, for more information about Jacksonville State's coverage of the science of reading and to see how Jax State compares to other programs in Alabama or across the country.

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About Jacksonville State University: Founded in 1883 as a state teachers' college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1, or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu.

About NCTQ: The National Council on Teacher Quality: NCTQ is a nonpartisan research and policy organization on a mission to ensure every child has access to an effective teacher and every teacher has the opportunity to be effective. We believe a strong, diverse teacher workforce is critical for providing all students with equitable educational opportunities. For more information about NCTQ, visit www.nctq.org.

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