NCTQ Recognizes ECU Teacher Quality
By Jane Dail
Thursday, June 19, 2014
A nationwide study of college teaching prep programs ranked one East Carolina University program among the top 15.
The National Council on Teaching Quality (NCTQ) released its second annual Teacher Prep Review this week after analyzing 2,400 elementary, secondary and special education programs at 1,127 institutions across the country.
ECU’s undergraduate special education program ranked 12th in the nation, tying with Fort Hayes State University’s undergraduate elementary education program, Montclair State University’s graduate secondary education program, and Austin Peay State University’s undergraduate secondary education program.
Kathi Wilhite — chairwoman of the department of special education, foundations and research in ECU College of Education — said she is proud of the recognition the program received.
“This recognition is a reflection of the dedicated professionals within the department who work tirelessly to conduct research and teach relevant practices to pre-service teacher candidates,” Wilhite said. “Our goal is to provide educational and practical experiences that will positively impact classrooms and services for individuals with disabilities.”
The undergraduate special education program has two areas — general curriculum and adapted curriculum — and about 200 students overall.
Wilhite said the nine key standards for special education are selection criteria, early reading, elementary mathematics, content for special education, classroom management, student teaching, instructional design for special education, outcomes and rigor.
ECU’s undergraduate elementary education program also ranked 188, tying with 13 other programs. The university’s undergraduate secondary education program ranked 356, which was tied with 11 other institutions’ programs.
NCTQ President Kate Walsh said in a Tuesday phone conference that the study helps to expand the national conversation on teacher quality
Walsh said though there are several areas of teaching that need improvement, there has been marked progress in reading instruction, classroom management and student teaching.
To view the entire report, visit www.nctq.org.
Contact Jane Dail at jdail@reflector.com or 252-329-9585.
Courtesy of ECU’s The Daily Clips blog.