Alabama State University February 18, 2021 ASU Among Top Programs for Undergraduate Elementary Teacher Preparation ASU's Undergraduate Elementary Teacher Preparation Program is among 'Top Programs in the Nation!' The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at Alabama State University has been named among the very best of its kind in the United States for its contribution to greater teacher diversity by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). The NCTQ is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit, research and policy organization. The University's program was named as one of the top programs in the nation in a new NCTQ report that specifically commends ASU for enrolling a group of future teachers that are both more racially diverse than the current teacher workforce in Alabama, and one that best reflects the community's racial diversity, according to a statement issued by Nicole Gerber, NCTQ's director of Strategic Communications. "ASU's undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program is among the top programs in the country that is contributing to greater teacher diversity," Gerber wrote. TEACHER DIVERSITY BENEFITS STUDENTS The dean of ASU's College of Education, Dr. Nicole Yvette Strange-Martin, is among those at the University who helps oversee the much-lauded program. "Alabama State University understands that each and every student benefits from increased teacher diversity," Dean Strange-Martin said. "Being acknowledged as one of the nation's top programs by the NCTQ for enrolling future teachers that reflect the racial diversity of our community is both satisfying and rewarding." The report from the National Council on Teacher Quality includes data that proves that a diverse teacher workforce benefits all students, particularly those of color. The research indicates that having same-race teachers increases student achievement and improves the likelihood of students of color graduating high school and attending college. NCTQ believes that recruiting a racially diverse cohort of future teachers into preparation programs is a first and necessary step in the path to a more diverse teacher workforce. "A diverse teacher workforce is essential if we are to achieve a high quality teacher workforce. One can't happen without the other. Teacher prep-programs are well-positioned to take the lead," said Kate Walsh, NCTQ President. "We applaud programs like Alabama State University that are leading the way," Walsh stated. Explore the findings and data for Alabama State University at: http://www.nctq.org/TPRDiversityAdmissions2021 <http://www.nctq.org/TPRDiversityAdmissions2021> News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104. Sandra M. Phoenix HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs - Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html for more information. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/ and click on the Donate Now button to invest in this project. Your support is appreciated. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/