The School of Teacher Preparation, Administration and Leadership at New Mexico State University has taken strong steps in recent years to elevate its preparation for future teachers in the area of reading instruction and to align programming more directly with techniques associated with the science of reading and structured literacy approaches. These efforts are now paying major dividends for students, teachers and schools across the state.
NMSU has raised its national ranking to a B grade in Reading Foundations on the most recent report released by the National Council on Teacher Quality. The NCTQ Teacher Prep Review evaluates elementary teacher preparation programs against seven research-backed standards proven to have the greatest impact on teacher quality and student learning outcomes. With this increased score, which is one of New Mexico's highest among the state's four-year universities, NCTQ has recognized NMSU's success in ensuring all teacher preparation programs implement scientifically based reading instruction.
Rick Marlatt, dean of the College of Health, Education and Social Transformation, said the School of TPAL has much to celebrate and be thankful for.
“TPAL has been focused on not only increasing its number of program completers in response to educator vacancies throughout the state, but also to ensure that new teachers are highly qualified to work with New Mexico students and equipped with cutting-edge pedagogical knowledge and research-based instructional skills. We are grateful for strong support from the state, which has made our numerous successes possible and sustainable,” Marlatt said.
Leanna Lucero is interim director for the School of TPAL, a role in which she supports undergraduate and graduate licensure pathways in early childhood, elementary, secondary and special education, as well as numerous certifications in high-needs areas, including autism and spectrum disorder, bilingual education, teaching English to speakers of other languages, educational leadership and more. Prior to her current role, Lucero provided direct oversight of TPAL's Elementary Education Program, which recently received national recognition for curricular innovation and effectiveness, earning the 2024 Association of Teacher Educators Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award.
Lucero said TPAL’s emphasis in enhancing its literacy foci has been a catalyst for program growth in both quantity and quality. The increased awareness of structured literacy has coincided with a growth in enrollment. TPAL’s enrollment has grown 95% since 2018.
“Our faculty have worked hard to equip our preservice teachers with both foundational knowledge and practical experience in structured literacy, while remaining attentive to the needs of the culturally and linguistically diverse children and families we serve,” Lucero said. “In collaboration with the Glass Family Research Institute for Early Childhood Studies and the Children’s Disability Information Coalition, the School of TPAL will host a Structured Literacy Educator Summit and Family Dyslexia Camp in fall 2025. This initiative is designed to support children, families and educators across the Paso del Norte Region. We are thrilled to lead this effort and anticipate strong participation.”
TPAL’s literacy achievements can be tracked alongside several important benchmarks. During the fall 2022 semester, TPAL offered a graduate course in science of reading and structured literacy for the first time. By fall 2023, structured literacy and science of reading components were featured both as stand-alone units and as primary syllabus features as the department began requiring this content in all literacy methods courses.
Fall 2023 also marked the first semester with early literacy courses being taught by a structured literacy coordinator and project administrator with the Southwest Regional Education Cooperative, as well as a trained early literacy expert in phonics instruction.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, TPAL collaborated with the New Mexico Public Education Department to support a cohort of eight university faculty members to participate in a professional development cohort with LETRS, a training program designed to enhance teachers' knowledge and skills in literacy instruction. That same year, NMSU’s Teacher Pipeline Initiative sponsored 25 teachers from Deming Public Schools, the Gadsden Independent School District and Las Cruces Public Schools to earn a master’s degree in education with a concentration in language, literacy and culture. The last of this cohort graduated in May. TPAL continues to provide preservice teachers with literacy instructors who are committed to and trained in structured literacy techniques.
TPAL’s success with incorporating science of reading and structured literacy techniques is exemplified by its innovative professional development partnerships with local school districts, including LCPS. The NMSU-LCPS Structured Literacy Training launched in 2023, with the first trainings held in March and April 2023. As of the most recent training in January, more than 300 teacher candidates have received LETRS-infused professional development trainings at the Teaching and Learning Center in Las Cruces. NMSU students received these trainings from the LCPS English Language Arts content specialists, the same group who received a National School Boards Association Student Achievement Award for their leadership in structured literacy in May 2023.
Esther Peterson, LCPS associate director of teaching and learning for K-12 language arts and social studies, said the district is committed to continuing this valued partnership because NMSU teacher candidates emerge with essential knowledge and literacy experiences that help them find success in teaching reading to New Mexico students.
“The impact of these sessions is clear – NMSU students leave with a deeper understanding of the science behind structured literacy and how this approach benefits all learners. At LCPS, we believe building relationships with new teachers is essential. Our commitment extends beyond our own district. We want every student in New Mexico to succeed. Literacy is the bridge to opportunity, and we owe every child the chance to cross it,” Peterson said.
TPAL is positioned for continued success with an anticipated number of 171 program completers in the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year. Lucero said she anticipates continued growth and excellence for teacher education at NMSU.
“I’m incredibly proud and excited to see our teacher education programs continue to grow. This growth reflects the dedication of our faculty in preparing future educators who are equipped to meet the needs of today’s diverse classrooms,” Lucero said.
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PHOTO CAPTION: A group of educators participate in a professional development session on the science of reading and structured literacy techniques. The session was hosted by Las Cruces Public Schools and New Mexico State University as part of the NMSU-LCPS Structured Literacy Training, which launched in 2023. (Courtesy photo)
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A group of women seated at a table with various stationary supplies.
PHOTO CAPTION: A group of educators listen to a presenter during a professional development session on the science of reading and structured literacy techniques. The session was hosted by Las Cruces Public Schools and New Mexico State University as part of the NMSU-LCPS Structured Literacy Training. (Courtesy photo)
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A group of people seated in a classroom.