West Virginia State University News May 19, 2022 WVSU Program Among Best in the Country for Preparing Elementary Math Teachers The undergraduate teacher preparation program at West Virginia State University (WVSU) has been named among the best in the nation when it comes to ensuring future elementary teachers have the essential content and skills they need to teach mathematics. The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), a national research and policy organization that evaluates the core requirements and practices of more than 1,100 programs that prepare future elementary teachers released a report this week in which the program at WVSU earned an A+ designation for its requirements in elementary math. WVSU is among only 79 programs in the nation to earn this distinction. The specific courses and requirements for the undergraduate program at WVSU are included as an "Exemplar Resource" in the report, serving as a guide to help other programs improve. "Mathematics is a huge component in setting the foundation for students," said Dr. J. Paige Carney, WVSU interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. "To receive this A+ designation and being an Exemplar Resource for future educators shows how hard our faculty work to provide the best career training and education possible for our students." NCTQ evaluated programs for their coverage of both the key mathematics content that elementary teachers need: Numbers and Operations, Algebraic Thinking, Geometry and Measurement, and Data Analysis and Probability, as well as how to teach those concepts. The recommended minimum instructional time that future elementary teachers need in these essential math topics was set based on guidance NCTQ received from teacher preparation programs, mathematicians, and math educators as part of an expert panel. WVSU stands apart by meeting 100% of these instructional goals across each of the elementary mathematics topic areas. Research has found that elementary math skills are a strong predictor of whether a student will graduate from high school. To see the full NCTQ report, visit: http://www.nctq.org/review/Elementary-Mathematics-2022. Follow West Virginia State University<http://www.facebook.com/wvstateu> on Facebook, Instagram @wvsu_official<https://www.instagram.com/wvsu_official/>, and Twitter @WVStateU<https://twitter.com/WVStateU>. Sandra M. Phoenix, Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance 678-210-5801 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Seek justice, honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. 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/