Elementary Teacher Preparation in Reading
Instruction : Utah

Analysis of Utah's policies

Utah 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.

Utah 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.

Recommendations for Utah

Ensure that teacher preparation programs prepare elementary teaching candidates in the science of reading instruction.
Utah 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.
Utah 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

Utah recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis. The state added that its revision of the program approval process will include a requirement for the science of reading. "While it is not outlined in rule, explicit instruction in reading practices is required in all teacher preparation programs with a minimum of three courses."