How Teacher Prep Programs Are Failing Future Educators — And Why It Hurts Reading | SOR BLOG POST 10

Imagine stepping into a classroom on day one as a new teacher — excited but overwhelmed. Now imagine being asked to teach reading, one of the most complex skills children will ever learn, without having had proper training.

This is the reality for many new teachers today.

The Stark Reality

Research shows that most teacher preparation programs still do not adequately train educators in the Science of Reading — the evidence-based approach proven to help kids learn to read effectively. Instead, many programs emphasize theory over practice or rely on outdated methods like balanced literacy.

The Impact on Students

When teachers aren’t equipped with strong literacy instruction skills, students pay the price. Reading proficiency rates stagnate or decline, and struggling readers may fall further behind without timely, effective intervention.

Why Are Teacher Prep Programs Lagging?

Several factors contribute to the problem:

• Curriculum inertia: Many colleges still teach reading methods based on whole language or balanced literacy philosophies.

• Limited faculty expertise: Some education departments lack instructors trained in the Science of Reading.

• Resistance to change: Shifting to new standards requires resources, training, and time — all of which can be challenging to secure.

What Can Be Done?

Improving teacher preparation is critical. Some promising steps include:

• Revising teacher education curricula to focus on the Science of Reading.

• Offering ongoing professional development in evidence-based literacy instruction.

• Creating partnerships between universities and schools to support new teachers in applying best practices.

The Bottom Line

Teaching reading is both an art and a science — and future educators deserve the training to master both. Until teacher prep programs catch up, many teachers will continue to enter classrooms unprepared, and countless students will continue to struggle to become confident readers.

As parents, educators, and advocates, we must demand better training for teachers. Because every child deserves a teacher who knows how to teach them to read — and every teacher deserves the tools to do so well.

Visit www.mindchild.net for ready-to-use Science of Reading lessons with guided videos, insights on the 16 personality types in child development, and in-depth resources on the literacy and education crises. Empower your teaching. Empower every child.