Mississippi Department of Education recognizes four institutions for science of reading programs

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has announced that three universities and one college will receive special designations for their educator preparation programs in the 2025-26 school year. Mississippi College, Mississippi State University, and Blue Mountain Christian University have been named as Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading Educator Preparation Programs. Jackson State University has received the designation of Mississippi Science of Reading Educator Preparation Program.

These recognitions are given to colleges and universities that train professors and teacher candidates in the science of reading, demonstrate changes in instructional practices, and ensure graduates are prepared to teach structured literacy practices in classrooms.

According to MDE, all educator preparation programs in the state can apply each summer for this recognition. The department started offering these awards during the 2023-24 school year. So far, six different schools have received them. Schools must reapply every year to maintain their designation.

To mark these achievements, MDE’s literacy leadership team will visit each campus beginning Thursday, November 20. The schedule includes visits to Jackson State University at 9 a.m., Mississippi College at 12:30 p.m., Mississippi State University on December 8 at 9 a.m., and Blue Mountain Christian University at 12:30 p.m.

“This recognition is for colleges and universities that have trained professors and teacher candidates in the science of reading, exemplified a change of instructional practices, and are ensuring that their graduates enter a classroom ready to instruct students in structured literacy practices,” according to MDE.