UM Education College Receives A+ for Elementary School Teacher Prep

MISSOULA – The University of Montana Phyllis J. Washington College of Education received exemplary grades for preparing future elementary school teachers for the classroom.

The National Council on Teacher Quality, a nationwide think tank, provided the College with an “A+” for preparing elementary school teachers in the field of mathematics and an “A” for reading foundations.

“We certainly agree with their finding that our preparation of teachers in reading and math is of high quality,” said Dan Lee, dean of the UM Phyllis J. Washington College of Education. “Of course, the measure of success we are most interested in is the quality of the teachers we prepare and their positive impact on their students.”

NCTQ issued the grades after reviewing the syllabi and course descriptions for several of the colleges classes in mathematics and reading for both the undergraduate and graduate level. The organization found the programs provide the content and pedagogical knowledge that elementary schools need for effective instruction. NCTQ reviews programs and makes recommendations to ensure that institutions across the nation provide future teachers with the most effective methods of preparing elementary school teachers.

These grades build on the momentum the College has garnered in recent years, which includes the entire 2022 class of counseling graduates passing their National Counselor Exam last year.

In addition to excelling in elementary school and counseling preparation, the College is a leader in early childhood education for students ages three to five, helping to set the foundation for a life of learning.

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Contact: Dr. Dan Lee, dean, UM Phyllis J. Washington College of Education, 406-243-4332, dan.lee@umontana.edu.