University of Texas at Arlington earns national recognition for preparing future elementary teachers in the science of reading.
[Arlington, TX] — June 10, 2026 —The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at University of Texas at Arlington 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 Arts in Education with EC-6 ESL Teacher Certification: A View grade page
The report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, published on June 9, spotlights University of Texas at Arlington 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, four in ten fourth graders in Texas 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.
University of Texas at Arlington is part of a growing group of teacher preparation programs nationwide helping transform how future teachers are trained to teach reading.
"Our outstanding NCTQ rating reflects the passion and dedication of our College of Education faculty and staff in preparing exceptional teachers for K–12 schools," said, Dr. Ann Cavallo, Dean ad interim of the College of Education at UTA. "Their work supports the achievement and success of thousands of K–12 students across DFW and Texas."
“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 University of Texas at Arlington 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 University of Texas at Arlington.
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.
"I am deeply proud of our faculty’s accomplishments and the meaningful impact they make every day on teachers, students, schools, and our community," said Dr. Cavallo.
See NCTQ’s report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation for more information about University of Texas at Arlington’s coverage of the science of reading and to see how University of Texas at Arlington compares to other programs in Texas or across the country.
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The UTA College of Education is committed to preparing the next generation of educators and leaders who are dedicated to making a positive impact in communities across Texas. With a focus on academic excellence, research-driven innovation, and community engagement, the College offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the education sector. Located in the dynamic Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, UTA provides students with unique opportunities for hands-on learning, internships, and collaborations with local schools and organizations. Guided by a faculty of experienced scholars and practitioners, the College of Education fosters an inclusive, socially responsible approach to teaching and leadership that equips students to address the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world.
For more information about UTA College of Education and its programs, please visit https://www.uta.edu/education
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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. Fore more information about NCTQ, visit www.nctq.org.