Education Department 

Evidence-based reading instruction is an integral component of the Educator Preparation Program at Taylor University. The National Reading Panel Report (2000) concluded that the five essential components of literacy instruction are foundational to student outcomes and that inadequate instruction in the Five Pillars of Literacy caused many students to struggle in reading. Current literacy research supports the implementation of a structured literacy framework, one that is designed to be sequential, cumulative, and in which students have increased opportunities to respond.  

For elementary education majors, the current course of study sequence is extensive, with 12 credit hours across three separate courses required for the program and an additional three credits for candidates adding a special education concentration. Additionally, most of the courses include a clinical classroom field placement that provides the candidates with applicable, real-world experiences to practice the teaching of reading.  

Our approach to training high-quality reading instructors includes:  

• Ongoing faculty professional development in the knowledge and application of an explicit, systematic, structured literacy framework;  
• Aligning our undergraduate curriculum, Transition to Teaching and online programs with current reading research (including the Science of Reading pedagogy);  
• The development and integration of a Corrective Reading course into the curriculum;  

• Increasing consistency of student practicum experiences through an orientation and training program with partner schools. 

Alspaugh-Hodson Family Scholarship: must be an Indiana resident and full-time student majoring in Education, eligible for need-based aid, and have a personal relationship with Christ 

Halbrook Freedom Scholarship: for students interested in entrepreneurship, education, media, and government, who grasp the essentiality of, and strive to uphold, the enduring principles of the United States of America 

Art Scholarship: for declared Art or Art Education majors 

Learn More

Walk into My Future: Help the Education department plan and execute an educational event for local elementary students. Blackford and Jay County elementary schools bring nearly 700 students to campus, and you get help teach young kids about how to prepare for college. 

Local Ministries & Education Programs: Partner with local schools and churches to bring educational programs to elementary, middle, and high school students. Tutor kids in their literacy skills during LIFT or just have fun with students at the Red Barn’s after-school program. 

Unified Robotics:  For students majoring in Elementary Education, especially for children with special needs, assisting with the Unified Robotics State Competition provides the unique opportunity to serve the community as well as gain more hands-on experience in an education career field. 

Science Fair Judging: Serve as a judge for science fair projects created by students at Eastern Elementary School in Greentown, Indiana. Taylor students have volunteered there for over a decade listening to children describe their science projects, watching demonstrations, and asking questions. These events provide a window into a hands-on way to engage children in science content through active curiosity. 

Kappa Delta Pi 

 Join 1.2 million education students from across the globe in this exclusive, international honor society. Students network, attend seminars, initiate service projects, gain access to scholarships and grants, mentor others, and much more. 

Conferences 

Opportunities to do research and give public presentations to build your educational resume include an early childhood education conference and Network of International Christian Schools jobs fair. Attend teaching conferences in and out of state for the chance to listen to and network with teaching professionals.