By UM News Service
MISSOULA – The Phyllis J. Washington College of Education at the University of Montana recently received an A+ grade for its elementary teacher preparation for mathematics instruction at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The evaluation came from the National Council on Teacher Quality, an education policy organization.
At a time when teacher shortages at schools across the country are dominating headlines, College of Education Dean Dan Lee is steadfast in his belief that the most effective teachers are not rushed in their training before entering classrooms of their own.
“Top-notch teacher training programs are essential for the success of our students,” Lee said. “A skilled teacher in a well-run classroom is a key that unlocks the potential of students. We take pride in this recognition.”
The rankings come from NCTQ’s rigorous review of the program’s syllabi and course descriptions. Teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities across the country are evaluated using seven research-based standards to estimate the effectiveness and impact of the college’s programs.
UM elementary teacher candidates must complete three math content courses that are prerequisites for admission into both the undergraduate and graduate preparation programs. This intentional design is meant to ensure that all students have a solid math foundation before moving into more rigorous studies focused on pedagogy.
“Research has proven time and again that great teachers significantly impact a student’s success in math classes,” Lee said. “That success requires high-quality instruction from teachers with deep subject knowledge and strong teaching strategies, which is at the core of how we prepare our future educators.”
###
Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM director of strategic communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu.