Grace College’s School of Education recently earned exceptional ratings following a multi-phased audit administered by the Indiana Department of Education to ensure that Education Preparation Providers align their coursework with the Science of Reading. As a result of the rigorous study, Grace received an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), and its elementary education literacy programming received 100% “strong” ratings overall from the Teacher Preparation Inspection (TPI-US).
“Ensuring that every teacher candidate is fully prepared to teach children how to read is essential,” said Dr. Rachael Hoffert, chair of the elementary education department and executive director of Grace’s Center for Literacy and Learning. “The results of the Science of Reading audit at Grace College affirm our deep commitment to excellence and to grounding our preparation program in evidence-based practices. Our candidates graduate ready to deliver instruction that changes the trajectory of a child’s life.”
The literacy audit commenced in 2024, beginning with an exhaustive NCTQ review of the program’s coursework. Grace was graded on five components of effective reading instruction, each receiving 12/12 points, resulting in an A+.
Then, in August 2025, Grace submitted a self-study to TPI-US, which was reviewed during a five-day site visit in October. During this intensive evaluation, inspectors reviewed three key areas by observing student teachers, interviewing college supervisors, and speaking to local school partners and their human resource departments. Grace received a “strong” rating across all three review areas in its overall program results.
According to Dr. Cheryl Bremer, dean of the School of Education at Grace, the highlight of the visitation was showcasing the school’s novel Center for Literacy and Learning, dedicated to promoting Science of Reading evidence-based practices while collaborating with local school districts to create dynamic clinical placements.
“The audit team spent considerable time investigating the center and its impact on teacher candidates and K-12 students, which contributed to the overall success of the audit,” said Bremer. “The center received high praise from one of the TPI-US co-founders, who also noted that our programming was among the best in the nation. I couldn’t be more proud of our team and the hard work that has contributed to these top-tier ratings.”
The center is one of four Centers of Excellence on Grace’s campus. Through these centers, students are mentored by expert faculty and staff as they conduct academic research and provide services to the broader community.
“One of our core values is the pursuit of excellence, which means we are committed to rigorous standards in an effort to honor God and to engage and serve others powerfully,” said Dr. Kevin Roberts, provost at Grace. “Believing that God has designed the human mind for a lifetime of growth and discovery, we view academic excellence not as a destination, but as a continuous spiritual calling. By fostering an environment of innovation, we prepare our students to engage our local community with wisdom and grace. This report from the School of Education and the Center for Literacy and Learning is a clear manifestation of this core value in action.”
To learn more about the School of Education, visit www.grace.edu/academics/academic-schools-departments/school-of-education/.
