WestConn Earns National A+ Rating for Math Teacher Preparation

DANBURY, CT — Western Connecticut State University’s Elementary Education program has received an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for its preparation of future teachers to effectively teach elementary-level mathematics. The program is one of just 83 nationwide to receive the top rating in NCTQ’s "2025 Teacher Prep Review: Solving for Math Success."

According to NCTQ Chief of Teacher Preparation Ron Noble, WestConn’s undergraduate program stood out for its comprehensive coverage of key math content areas and teaching strategies. “WCSU’s undergraduate program is among the best in the nation for devoting sufficient time to math pedagogy and the four math content areas,” Noble said.

The NCTQ review evaluated over 1,100 programs nationwide, with just 13 percent of Connecticut programs receiving an A or A+ rating. Among eight undergraduate and seven graduate programs reviewed in the state, only WestConn and Sacred Heart University earned A+ scores.

The high rating reflects WestConn’s success in meeting 100 percent of the recommended instructional hours in core areas such as Numbers and Operations, Algebraic Thinking, Geometry and Measurement, Data Analysis and Probability, and Math Pedagogy.

“This national recognition reflects the strength of our Elementary Education preparation program,” said Dr. Katherine Roe, chair of WCSU’s Education Department. “We’ve worked diligently to create courses that strengthen both content knowledge and teaching strategies.”

Roe emphasized the growing need for strong math instruction, citing national statistics indicating that one in four fourth-grade students struggle with basic math skills.

The A+ distinction is not new for WCSU; the university received a similar score in the 2022 NCTQ report.

The NCTQ, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank founded in 2000, evaluates teacher preparation, pay equity, educator diversity, and instructional quality nationwide.

WestConn’s teacher preparation programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.