Elementary Teacher Preparation in Reading
Instruction : Iowa

Analysis of Iowa's policies

Iowa does not require that teacher preparation programs for elementary teacher candidates address the science of reading. The state has neither coursework requirements nor standards related to this critical area. Iowa does require that all elementary teacher candidates must take coursework in methods and materials for teaching elementary reading. However, this coursework does not explicitly require that teachers receive training in the five essential components of reading instruction.

Iowa also does not require teacher candidates to pass an assessment that measures knowledge of scientifically based reading instruction prior to certification or at any point thereafter.

Citation

IAC 282-13.26(4)

Recommendations for Iowa

Ensure that teacher preparation programs prepare elementary teaching candidates in the science of reading instruction.
Iowa should require that teacher preparation programs in the state train candidates in the five instructional components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

Require teacher candidates to pass a rigorous assessment in the science of reading instruction.
Iowa should require a rigorous reading assessment tool to ensure that its elementary teacher candidates are adequately prepared in the science of reading instruction before entering the classroom. The assessment should clearly test knowledge and skills related to the science of reading, and if it is combined with an assessment that also tests general pedagogy or elementary content, it should report a subscore for the science of reading specifically. Elementary teachers who do not possess the minimum knowledge in this area should not be eligible for licensure.

State response to our analysis

Iowa recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis. The state added that its professional education core requires coursework or evidence of competency in "preparation in reading programs, including reading recovery, and integration of reading strategies into content area methods coursework."