Elementary education program earns A+ from National Council on Teacher Quality

June 15, 2026 - 22:33

Boise State University's elementary education program has received an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality. The high score comes after an evaluation of how well the program prepares future teachers to use research-backed methods for teaching children how to read. The council specifically looked at whether the curriculum aligns with the science of reading, which emphasizes phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

According to the report, Boise State stood out for requiring coursework that gives teacher candidates a solid foundation in these proven techniques. The program does not just teach theory. It also requires students to practice these methods in real classroom settings before they graduate. This hands-on approach is seen as a key reason for the top grade.

The National Council on Teacher Quality reviews hundreds of teacher preparation programs across the country. Its ratings are based on a detailed analysis of course syllabi, textbooks, and other instructional materials. An A+ rating is rare and signals that a program is doing an exceptional job of training teachers in the most effective strategies for early reading instruction. For Boise State, the grade reflects a long-term commitment to improving how its graduates teach one of the most fundamental skills in education.