DBU Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program Earns National Recognition for Reading Instruction

Dallas Baptist University's undergraduate teacher preparation program has earned an A+ rating in Reading Foundations from the National Council on Teacher Quality, recognizing the University's strong commitment to preparing future educators in the science of reading.

The recognition comes as part of NCTQ's 2026 Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, which evaluates how well elementary teacher preparation programs equip future educators to teach reading. DBU's Bachelor of Arts in Education: Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading, Early Childhood-Grade 6 Teacher Certification program received the highest possible rating for its preparation of aspiring teachers in the five core components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.

This achievement is especially meaningful as only six universities in Texas received an A+ rating. Among those six, DBU was the only university to earn a perfect score of 12 out of 12 across all five domains that contributed to the overall rating. DBU also performed well in three additional reviewed domains, ranking in the 94th percentile nationally for instruction related to struggling readers and in the 99th percentile nationally for instruction related to students who speak language varieties other than General American English.

For Ginger Earl, Assistant Professor in the Bush College of Education, preparing future teachers to teach reading is about more than academic achievement. It is deeply connected to DBU's Christ-centered mission.

"I view preparing teachers to teach reading as preparation for a very special mission," shared Professor Earl. "Every time a child learns to read well, we help provide access to God's Word. Even in settings where teachers may never have the opportunity to share their faith directly, they can help plant seeds by equipping children to hear from God for themselves through scripture. It has always been my hope that our graduates leave DBU prepared to do everything possible to ensure that every child, regardless of background, learning difficulties, or home language, has access to literacy and the opportunities it provides related to the Bible."

NCTQ's review process analyzed course materials, syllabi, assignments, assessments, and opportunities for teacher candidates to practice instruction in required literacy courses. According to NCTQ, programs earning an A+ exceed expectations by fully addressing the five core components of reading instruction while avoiding instructional practices that research has shown to be ineffective or counterproductive.

Dr. Karla Hagan, Dean of the Bush College of Education, celebrated the recognition as a reflection of both the program's academic excellence and the heart behind its work. "I am grateful that our commitment to serving struggling readers and students from diverse language backgrounds was reflected in our results. I think these outcomes demonstrate both the quality of our program and the heart behind the work we do here at DBU. I celebrate the leadership of Professor Ginger Earl and the leadership she provides in our reading program."

As DBU continues to prepare Christ-centered servant leaders for classrooms across Texas and beyond, this recognition affirms the University's dedication to equipping future educators with the knowledge, skill, and compassion needed to help every child thrive.

Through strong teacher preparation rooted in research-based instruction and guided by a mission to serve others, DBU graduates are being prepared to make a lasting difference in the lives of their students, one reader at a time.