This study empirically examines the curriculum alignment of university elementary education programs with the findings of the National Reading Panel report (NRP) 2000. The study also assesses preservice teacher knowledge of the five key NRP components of early reading instruction for the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences. As part of the study, Optimal is responsible for identifying a seven-person expert panel, recruiting over 100 participating schools, and collecting data through site visits, telephone interviews, and onsite student assessment.