Published May 23, 2025
MONROE, LA – The University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) School of Education has received an A+ rating
in elementary math teacher preparation from the National Council on Teacher Quality
(NCTQ). ULM is one of only four universities in the state to receive an A+ rating.
"We are so pleased to be recognized for excellence in the School of Education by NCTQ,”
said Dr. Myra Lovett, Director of the ULM School of Education. “With an A+ in preparing
future teachers to instruct both Mathematics and Reading Foundations, ULM continues
to demonstrate that we stand among the highest-ranked teacher preparation programs
in the nation."
The NCTQ assessment of elementary math teacher prep programs in Louisiana evaluated
17 elementary prep programs to determine whether they dedicate enough time to key
math content topics and math pedagogy. The four math content topics include numbers
and operations, algebraic thinking, geometry and measurement, and data analysis and
probability.
“ULM’s undergraduate program is among the best in the nation for devoting sufficient
time to math pedagogy and the four math content areas,” said Ron Noble, Chief of Teacher
Prep at NCTQ.
A report from the National Assessment of Education Progress states that 25% of 4th-grade students in Louisiana lack basic math knowledge and skills, underscoring the
need for excellence in preparation for math teachers.
“For the second year in a row, the NCTQ has awarded its highest rating, first in Reading
Foundations and now in Mathematics,” said Dr. John Pratte, Dean of the College of
Arts, Education, and Sciences at ULM. “This is a great testament to the work of our
faculty, students, and regional partners in changing the lives of children in our
region and the state and for providing better outcomes for all of our citizens.”
"Dr. Myra Lovett and Dr. Shalanda Stanley provide the critical leadership for our
School of Education to implement the time and pedagogy into our undergraduate teacher
preparation programs,” said Jayme Stokes, Director of Teacher Certification and Professional
Advancement in the ULM School of Education. “Our CAEP-accredited programs have received
the NCTQ award in Reading Foundations and now in Math. ULM graduates have been educated
rigorously to prepare them for their professional careers as educators."
The ULM School of Education previously received an A+ rating from the NCTQ for Reading
Foundations. The detailed reports from the NCTQ can be found here.
Learn more about the ULM School of Education at ulm.edu/education.
