Northwest Nazarene University Elementary Education Programs Earn A+ Ratings for Reading Preparation

Northwest Nazarene University’s undergraduate and graduate elementary education programs have earned A+ ratings from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for how well they prepare future teachers to teach reading with research-based instructional practices.

The ratings are part of NCTQ’s 2026 Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, which evaluates elementary teacher preparation programs nationwide on their alignment with the science of reading. The report recognizes programs that provide comprehensive instruction in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. To earn an A+ rating, programs must demonstrate exceptional alignment with reading research and avoid instructional practices that are unsupported by evidence.

NNU President Mark DeMichael said the university was honored to receive the recognition. “At Northwest Nazarene University, we believe that great teachers change lives, and that begins with exceptional preparation,” he said. He credited the dedication of the faculty and the leadership of Professor Whitney Ward, whose work in literacy and evidence-based reading instruction, he said, has helped position NNU as a leader in teacher preparation.

Lisa Amundson, Professor of Education and Interim Dean of the College of Education, said the rating reflects years of work within the college to equip future educators with the knowledge and skills needed to teach reading effectively. According to NCTQ, an A+ rating is rare and represents one of the highest distinctions a teacher preparation program can receive.

Ward, NNU’s Literacy Coordinator, has led literacy efforts within the university’s teacher preparation programs and is recognized across Idaho for her advocacy and leadership in literacy education. She described the university’s approach. “At NNU, we teach literacy through a biblical perspective,” she said. “When we consider the impact of illiteracy on individuals, families and communities, teaching children to read becomes a way we can serve the least of these.” She added that teaching children to read also equips them to read scripture for themselves, which she described as an important part of building God’s Kingdom (Colossians 3:23).

Ward said NNU participates in the Idaho Higher Education Literacy Partnership, a group of literacy professors from across the state, and that together they have worked to strengthen their programs and support statewide literacy initiatives. “The growth reflected in NCTQ’s latest report is encouraging, and ultimately, it is great news for Idaho’s children,” she said.

NCTQ’s evaluation included a review of course syllabi, assignments, assessments, instructional materials and opportunities for teacher candidates to practice literacy instruction. Programs were assessed on how thoroughly they prepare future elementary teachers to teach reading using methods supported by decades of scientific research.

Heather Peske, President of NCTQ, said every child deserves a teacher who has been well prepared to teach reading. “Across the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but Northwest Nazarene University is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like,” she said. NCTQ describes itself as a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to ensuring every child has access to effective teachers.

Source: Read the original report