Fairmont State University ranked among top in Teacher Preparation Programs for Early Reading Instruction

Fairmont State University is among five traditional undergraduate programs in West Virginia to earn an A from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) in the 2020 Teacher Prep Review. 

The new data and analysis from the NCTQ found significant progress on adoption of scientifically-based methods for teaching reading by the nation’s teacher preparation programs with West Virginia ranking 15th in terms of the average score achieved by its programs. 

“I am thrilled to learn of this extraordinary designation,” Mirta M. Martin, president of Fairmont State University, said. “But I also have to say, I’m not surprised. Our early reading program, as well as our other education programs, are shining examples of how we continue to serve regional and national needs by providing transformational academic programs that are borne out of our commitment to our institutional mission.”

Dr. Amanda Metcalf, interim associate dean of the School of Education, Health & Human Performance, said they are thrilled to be recognized as a strong program. The rating reflects the hard work and dedication by the University’s Elementary Education faculty. 

“The A rating, and being recognized nationally, is also a testament to our continued commitment to academic excellence. The real winners of our A rating are the students who learn to read as a result of the outstanding teacher candidates the Elementary Education program produces,” she said. “Fairmont State has been a vanguard of teacher education in West Virginia since 1865 and the long tradition of high-quality teacher education continues.”

Dr. Sharon Smith, Interim Department Chair and Professor of Education, said reading is an important life skill as it plays a significant role in being able to function in society. 

“No matter one’s career choice, being able to read is a must. Reading to children and teaching them to read at a young age helps them develop a larger vocabulary, builds critical thinking skills, strengthens comprehension, and prepares them to do well in school and work,” she said. 

Fairmont State teacher candidates understand the importance of reading and how it will impact their future students and their teaching careers. Dr. Barbara Wierzbicki, assistant professor of Education, said the program prepares both elementary and secondary teach candidates who realize all teachers are teachers of reading. 

“The progression of courses focuses on understanding the reading process, learning a variety of content area reading strategies, and then practicing the pedagogy (methods) needed to teach reading and language arts skills,” she said. 

Now in its fourth edition, the Teacher Prep Review assigns a team of literacy experts to examine every course a program requires in early reading, looking at the planned topics to be covered in each class, readings, assignments, practice opportunities, and tests, as well as rating the quality of the textbooks used in each course. These experts look for clear evidence of dedicated course time as well as measures where aspiring teachers must demonstrate their knowledge of the five key components of the science of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Featured

SHOPS & SERVICES

Buckhannon man held on $100,000 bail after being arrested on multiple drug charges

BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man was arrested Saturday after several illegal substances were allegedly found in his residence. Bryan Shaw, 41, of Buckhannon, was arrested for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Buckhannon City Council approves $6.5 million-dollar budget prioritizing public safety, infrastructure

BUCKHANNON – City council passed the largest budget in Buckhannon’s history Tuesday, with the two largest allocations once again earmarked for public safety operations and infrastructure maintenance, respectively. At its March 14 meeting – rescheduled from March 16 due to […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Police arrest man they say was the driver in 2022 pursuit that ended in a wreck with two people ejected

BUCKHANNON – A Rock Cave man was arrested for allegedly fleeing from police officers in a vehicle, injuring himself and a passenger. Elijah Carpenter, 27, of Rock Cave was arrested Thursday for fleeing from an officer and fleeing or attempting […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES

Softball Lady Bucs get one-hit by Lincoln’s Haller in season debut

TENNERTON – For their season opener, the Buckhannon-Upshur softball Lady Bucs ran into one of the top pitchers in the state in Lincoln’s Delaney Haller. Haller was the Big 10 Conference Pitcher of the Year last season and was captain […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Baseball ‘Cats get home doubleheader split with ABU

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Wesleyan baseball team split with the Alderson Broaddus Battlers Monday, winning 7-2 in the first game and losing 7-0 in the second game. The bats were alive in Game

Inexperienced tennis Bucs fall in first two outings of 2023 season

BRIDGEPORT – The Buckhannon-Upshur tennis Buccaneers dropped their first two outings of the year last week. They opened their season at home last Thursday with a 7-0 setback to Robert C. Byrd and then went to Bridgeport Saturday and dropped […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

Lady Buc netters open season with win over Robert C. Byrd and narrow loss to John Marshall

BRIDGEPORT – The Buckhannon-Upshur Lady Buc tennis team is off to a 1-1 start to the season and was just an eyelash away from being a perfect 2-0. The Lady Bucs hosted Robert C. Byrd last Thursday and won a […]

Become a premium member to unlock immediate access to this story and thousands more. Plus you’ll wake up every morning to our email edition. Your subscription supports local news by local writers. Signing up is easy — just tap the button below!

SHOPS & SERVICES

Working in service: WVU research reaches all of West Virginia

Breakthroughs and research expertise nurtured at West Virginia University extend far beyond its labs, experimental sites and classrooms. In fact, WVU research efforts are unique compared to most universities, according to Vice President for Research Fred King. “While

Fairmont State University selects 2023 Presidential Scholarship winners

Three incoming Fairmont State University freshmen have been selected as the recipients of Fairmont State’s premier academic scholarship, the Charles J. McClain Presidential Scholarship. Sophie Stuart from Jefferson High School (Charles town, W.VA), Hailey Jordan

WVDEP hosting students on World Water Day

CHARLESTON, WV – In an effort to enrich students’ understanding of the importance of clean water, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) is hosting a water education event for area grade schools on