With the goal of improving student learning, TPI-US reviews teacher preparation programs to determine how the programs can expand their promising practices and address areas of improvement.

This is What We Do.

Literacy-Focused Inspections

Closing the Gap Between Research and Practice

Too few teacher preparation programs equip new teachers with the knowledge and skills to apply the science of reading in the classroom. TPI-US inspections across 26 states show that more than 50% of programs’ literacy coursework needs significant improvement. Programs often fail to teach explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—leaving graduates unprepared for the realities of today’s classrooms.


Our literacy-focused inspections directly address this gap, ensuring that new teachers are prepared to help all K-12 students learn to read.

What We Do

  • Observe Coursework & Training
    We review syllabi and course materials, observe classes, and interview stakeholders to assess how well teacher candidates are prepared to design and deliver scientifically based reading instruction. Our observation protocols are based on the established body of research identifying effective literacy instruction and teaching practices, allowing trained inspection teams to delve into what truly matters.

  • Assess Candidate Practice
    We observe teacher candidates in classrooms to determine whether they can effectively apply literacy training. It’s not enough to merely expose teacher candidates to scientifically based instruction; they must also be able to apply key skills in authentic environments while receiving high-quality feedback from highly trained professionals.

  • Provide Actionable Feedback
    Like our traditional program inspections, programs receive clear, evidence-based recommendations that drive meaningful and continuous improvement. 

Benefits of Literacy-Focused Inspections

  • Better Prepared Teachers
    Graduates enter classrooms ready to teach reading effectively from the very first day. A new teacher’s first year is difficult enough without having to learn effective literacy practices independently. By strengthening the quality of literacy preparation that teacher candidates receive, programs increase their initial effectiveness and boost K-12 student learning.

  • Reliable Data for Programs, States, and Philanthropies
    The data collected through TPI-US literacy-focused inspections identifies how well teacher candidates are being prepared to teach K-12 students to read. Our inspections pinpoint strengths and performance gaps, providing programs, states, and philanthropies with reliable evidence to make informed investments and drive better results for K-12 students.

  • Catalyzing Partnerships
    The flurry of interest around literacy has opened the door to new partnerships designed to boost K-12 students’ literacy success. Our literacy-focused inspections serve as a conduit for increased collaboration between programs, states, and philanthropies. 

Our Commitment

Through literacy-focused inspections, TPI-US helps close the gap between research and practice. With every inspection, our goal is simple: teachers prepared to teach reading, and students prepared to succeed.


Learn more about our work → info@tpius.org