Top Marks for Teaching Teachers
By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
Rio Salado College’s Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Special Education earned top marks in a new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), receiving an A rating for its preparation of future elementary teachers in reading instruction.
The report, “Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation,” recognizes Rio Salado College for meeting standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction.
“Rio Salado College is honored to be recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality for the strength of its teacher preparation programming,” said Janelle Elias, Rio Salado Executive Vice President of Strategy and Academic Affairs. “This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to preparing the next generation of educators to inspire students, transform lives, and shape the future of our communities.”
Rio Salado’s bachelor’s degrees launched in 2023. Besides this recognition, the American Association of School Personnel Administrators highlighted the program as a “promising practice” in 2024 to fill the national teacher shortage. NCTQ awarded the bachelor's program an "A" in 2025 for preparing elementary teachers to provide effective instruction in mathematics.
Helping students become strong readers starts with well-prepared teachers. Yet according to National Assessment of Educational Progress data, half of Arizona fourth graders cannot read at a basic level, highlighting the need for teacher preparation programs grounded in evidence-based literacy instruction.
Science of Reading
The recognition reflects Rio Salado College’s emphasis on science of reading-aligned instruction and evidence-based teacher preparation. Rio Salado is part of a growing group of teacher preparation programs nationwide helping transform how future teachers are trained to teach reading using science-of-reading aligned practices.
NCTQ recognized Rio Salado’s bachelor's degree in education for equipping aspiring teachers with the knowledge and skills to explicitly teach the five core components of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension and vocabulary.
“Our bachelor's degree and approach to teacher preparation combines the science of reading with high-leverage instructional practices to create a comprehensive learning experience,” said Dr. Jennifer Gresko, Rio Salado Faculty Chair for Educator Preparation Programs.
“By integrating the science of reading with meaningful clinical experiences, we are transforming teacher preparation so that graduates enter classrooms ready to help every student become a confident and capable reader.”
NCTQ Methodology
NCTQ is a nonpartisan research and policy organization focused on ensuring every child has access to an effective teacher and every teacher has the opportunity to be effective.
To evaluate educator preparation programs, NCTQ assembled a panel of reading experts, teacher preparation faculty, reading advocates and measurement experts.
The panel analyzed syllabi, lecture topics, reading materials, assessments, assignments and opportunities to practice instruction in required literacy courses for elementary teacher candidates at Rio Salado College.
“Every child deserves a teacher who has been well prepared to teach reading,” said NCTQ President Heather Peske. “Across the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but Rio Salado College is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.”
NCTQ also awarded Rio Salado College an A rating in 2025 for preparation of future elementary teachers in mathematics instruction.
Learn more about Rio Salado College’s recognition in the NCTQ Teacher Prep Review report.
Want to Become a Teacher?
Students interested in becoming teachers can learn more about Rio Salado College’s educator preparation pathways by attending one of the upcoming virtual information sessions. A WebEx link will be provided after registration.
Bachelor’s Degree Pathway Information Sessions
Begin your teaching journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in education with a dual emphasis in Elementary Education (K-8) and Special Education (K-12).
- Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, 1-2:30 p.m.
Teacher in Residence Information Sessions
Teacher in Residence programs allow students who already possess a bachelor’s degree to work in a classroom while simultaneously completing education coursework toward certification.
- Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 1-2 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 4-5 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1-2 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, 1-2 p.m.
Traditional Post-Baccalaureate Information Sessions
Post-baccalaureate coursework is delivered in a hybrid format that combines online asynchronous coursework with in-person field experiences and student teaching through an approved education partner.
- Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 4-5 p.m.