College of Education & Human Sciences science of reading instruction commended in recent state-sponsored review

UNM’s College of Education and Human Sciences (COEHS) recently hosted two Teacher Preparation Inspection evaluators (TPI-US) in support of the State of New Mexico’s literacy pilot program and its commitment to improving literacy outcomes for New Mexican students.

Inspectors observed and interviewed COEHS teacher candidates and their mentor teachers over several days this spring, reviewing syllabi and visiting COEHS science of reading classes. The visit’s goal was to provide the College and the State with an independent assessment of how the College currently prepares its graduates to support New Mexican students in mastering literacy.

The visitors evaluated the College’s work across three domains: 1) on the instruction of the science of reading; 2) on COEHS students’ instruction of literacy in their field sites; and 3) the College’s community and district partnerships.

TPI inspectors shared their initial findings and impressions with the College on the final day of their visit in April. Inspectors praised the College’s impact on promoting literacy in public schools and schools located in tribal communities as “huge.” “You have such a strong institution and program, your impact on the schools is huge.”

The inspectors noted that the COEHS is a “trailblazer” in teaching the science of reading to teacher candidates, specifically in its work to integrate the needs of students with diverse literacies throughout the College’s curriculum.

In the written evaluation that followed their first visit, TPI inspectors noted some areas that could be strengthened, such as bolstering partnerships outside of teacher residencies and support for teacher candidates who train in schools that have not yet adopted the science of reading curriculum that empowers better curricular supplementation.

The College has used this feedback to make programmatic revisions and prepare for TPI’s next site visit in 2025.