Regent University Earns National Recognition for Preparing Future Elementary Teachers in the Science of Reading

June 9, 2026

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (June 9, 2026) — The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at Regent University has earned an “A” from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for how well it prepares future teachers to teach reading to elementary students.

The report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, published on June 9, spotlights Regent University’s Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education degree for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective reading instruction methods. Specifically, the “A” rating means Regent’s program is preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, and avoids more than three instructional practices shown by research to be ineffective or counterproductive for teaching children to read.

“At Regent University, we understand that reading proficiency is the cornerstone for lifelong learning and academic growth,” said Cheryl Gould, Ed.D., Teacher Education Department Chair for Regent’s College of Arts and Sciences. “Our teacher education degree programs equip future educators with the knowledge and skills to help children become strong, effective, and confident readers.”

A child’s ability to read proficiently in the early grades shapes everything that comes next in school and in life, yet according to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data, four in 10 fourth graders in Virginia cannot read at a basic level. Teacher preparation is one of the most direct levers available to change that — but only if it aligns with research-based instructional methods proven to help most students become successful readers.

“At Regent University, our teacher education professors are devoted to preparing Christian educators who serve as transformational teachers and leaders, advancing reading readiness and literacy in the United States and abroad, amid significant educational challenges,” said Provost Bill Hathaway, Ph.D.

“Every child deserves a teacher who has been well prepared to teach reading, and every teacher deserves the opportunity to enter the classroom ready to help students succeed,” said NCTQ President Heather Peske. “Across the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but Regent University is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.”

To evaluate the quality of preparation being provided, a team of experts at NCTQ analyzed syllabi, including lecture schedules and topics, background reading materials, class assessments, assignments, and opportunities to practice instruction in required literacy courses for elementary teacher candidates at Regent University.

“We believe that literacy changes lives,” said Kurt Kreassig, Ed.D., Dean of Regent’s School of Education. “This national recognition reflects our commitment to preparing highly effective educators who are grounded in research-based instructional practices and called to serve others through teaching.”

For those who seek to teach with excellence, Regent University offers seven undergraduate teacher preparation degrees that focus on research-based best practices and innovative teaching methods, in addition to graduate-level degrees. To learn more, explore education degree programs at Regent.

About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university, with nearly 14,000 students studying on its 100-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online worldwide. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study, including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University has been ranked the No. 1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for 14 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2026) and the No. 2 Top Military Friendly® School in the nation (Military Friendly® Schools, 2024-2025).

###

Request Information

URL

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Online or On Campus

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Online or On Campus Old

Online

On Campus

On Campus Degree Type(Required)

Online Degree Type(Required)

Choose a Program(Required)

This program is designed for registered nurses looking to advance their degree. A valid, unencumbered RN license is required to apply.

RN License Confirmation(Required)

I currently hold a valid RN license

Don't have your RN license yet? Explore other Regent programs.

High School Graduation(Required)

Are you an employee or the spouse/dependent of an employee?(Required)

Employee

Spouse/Dependent

Email Address(Required)

Company(Required)

Agency(Required)

Employee's Company(Required)

Employee's Agency(Required)

Company Email Address(Required)

Agency Email Address(Required)

Employee's Company Email Address(Required)

Employee's Agency Email Address(Required)

Employee's First Name(Required)

Employee's Last Name(Required)

Employee's First Name(Required)

Employee's Last Name(Required)

Your Email Address(Required)

First Name(Required)

Last Name(Required)

I live outside the US

Address(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Address(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

City(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

State(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Zip Code(Required)

Phone(Required)

I live in Canada

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Agent's Name(Required)

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Agent GUID

Agent's Notes

I would like to start application process

By entering my first and last name above and clicking “Learn More” below, this shall constitute my electronic signature and I expressly agree that Regent University or its third party service providers may call or text me for marketing purposes at the number I provide above, including through the use of an automatic telephone dialing system and/or artificial or prerecorded voice or message according to the TCPA Terms & Conditions below. Providing this consent is not required to obtain any good or service.