The Neag School of Education continues to achieve top-ranking status as a graduate school of education in the U.S.; it is the #1 public graduate school of education in the Northeast, and it is overall #33 in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report.

In its annual review of the best graduate schools in the country released in March, U.S.News & World Report ranks the Neag School #33 among the 279 private and public education schools. Also significant are the rankings of the Neag School’s core programs, which are individually assessed by U.S. News. Three rank among the nation’s top 25, including: Elementary Education (18); Special Education (20); and Educational Leadership and Supervision (22).

Each year, U.S. News gathers opinion data from school superintendents and deans to rank professional school programs. Dr. Thomas DeFranco, dean of the Neag School, describes the findings as “very encouraging” and believes the rankings serve as one of several barometers used by the Neag School to assess its reputation and quality of its programs.

DeFranco also believes a factor helping to build the Neag School’s reputation is its work with public schools in Connecticut and across the country. “Faculty within the Neag School are not only focused on research and scholarship, they are committed to working in partnership with classroom teachers and sharing information about best practices and improving the academic performance of children,” he says.

According to an alumni survey response, “I think the most valuable experiences I had in the Neag School were the connections I made with my professors. I always felt well supported and mentored by the professors I had, and I still email with several of them for advice and help. These professors are not only experts in their fields, but valuable resources and friends to all students in the Neag School.”

“Our goal is to produce highly qualified teachers, principals, superintendents and health professionals who will impact the academic performance and health and well-being of children and adults in Connecticut and in the nation,” said DeFranco.

“Based on the indicators from the U.S. News report, we are certainly moving in the right direction toward our goal,” said DeFranco.

For more information on the Neag School of Education, visit www.education.uconn.edu.