Excellence in Reading: VU earns high national acclaim for teacher preparation
Pictured above: VU Education Students and Faculty at the "Adios Oscar!" Story Walk on April 16, 2026.
July 28, 2026
VINCENNES, Ind. — The elementary teacher preparation bachelor’s degree program at Vincennes University has earned an A+ 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 Special Education Mild Intervention K-12th/Elementary Education K-6th: A+
VU is part of a growing group of teacher preparation programs nationwide helping transform how future teachers are trained to teach reading.
VU Education Department Chair Ann Herman said, “We are exceedingly proud of this exemplary rating. Learning to read is a fundamental civil right. By equipping our teacher candidates with these methodologies, we ensure they graduate fully prepared to instruct fluent literacy skills in all learners—ultimately unlocking their full academic potential and paving the way for lifelong success."
The June 2026 report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation spotlights VU for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the
most effective methods of reading instruction. Specifically, this means the program
is 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, one in three fourth
graders in Indiana 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.
“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,” NCTQ President Heather Peske said. “Across the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but Vincennes University is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.”
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.
2026 VU Story Walk
VU Professor Lisa Miller said, “There's nothing more rewarding than watching our future teachers grow in both their confidence and their ability to help children become successful readers. We give VU students a strong foundation in evidence-based literacy instruction, but we also make sure they have meaningful opportunities to put that learning into practice. Those hands-on experiences make all the difference. I have no doubt that our graduates leave VU exceptionally well prepared to provide literacy-rich instruction and make a positive impact on the students they will serve.”
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 VU.
See NCTQ’s report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation for
more information about Vincennes University’s coverage of the science of reading and
to see how VU compares to other programs in Indiana or across the country.
To learn more about VU Bachelor's and Associate Degrees in Education, visit the VU Education Department.
About Vincennes University - Indiana’s First College
Vincennes University delivers premier educational opportunities through campuses in Vincennes and Jasper, specialized centers in Indianapolis, Lebanon, Plainfield, and Fort Branch, and robust online programs, and leads the way in Early College, Dual Credit, and Career and Technical Education. As an accredited leader with the lowest residential tuition in Indiana, VU stands completely unrivaled in its ability to provide flexible, career-driven pathways for students. Students choose VU for its expansive range of bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and certificate programs. Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s First College and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory. More information is available at vinu.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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