African American male in graduation gown, holding grad cap.

Leveraging Soft Skills to Improve College and Career Readiness

January 8, 2021

Through a collaboration with Lehigh University, Neag School of Education associate professor Jennifer Freeman will develop an intervention to improve college and career readiness for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. This $500,000 grant is sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Freeman is a Co-PI with Lee Kern and Chris Liang at Lehigh University.


Letters About Literature Book Image

Letters About Literature Contest Now Underway for Conn. Students

January 3, 2021

Each year, the Neag School co-sponsors a reading and writing contest known as Letters About Literature for Connecticut students in Grades 4-12. Students are asked to read a book, poem, or speech and write a letter to that author (living or dead) about how the text affected them personally. Prizes are awarded for top submissions.




A multi-ethnic group of young children are reading at a preschool with their male teacher.

The Payoff of Preschool: Investing in CT’s Youngest Residents

December 23, 2020

Preschool can help ensure that children reach their fullest potential. Research suggests that preschool has a strong, positive impact on children’s brain development, relationships, and knowledge acquisition, as well as a broader return on investment for society. This brief summarizes this research and investigates preschool access in Connecticut.


Two young females sit side-by-side.

Citing Friendship, in Academia and Beyond

December 21, 2020

We call them our colleagues, our peers, our mentors, or our coworkers – they are the people in our professional lives that also share in the details of our personal lives, who we associate with voluntarily, and who we trust with our thoughts, our experiences, and our fears.

Outside of work, we might call these relationships “friendships,” but it’s rarer to hear that particular f-word at the office – and the reason has to do with more than just semantics.


Schoolchildren using computers

UConn Researchers to Reimagine Dual Language Education

December 18, 2020

The University of Connecticut has been awarded a $179,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education for a new research project centered on reimagining dual language education. The project’s purpose is to improve the ability of dual language programs to promote the equitable bilingualism and biliteracy development of all students through a greater focus on sociocultural competence.


A 13-year-old boy with autism, uses a keyboard and iPad to communicate with his mother.

Amid COVID, Schools Can Help Families of Children With Disabilities

December 16, 2020

Children don’t come with how-to manuals. Even if they did, they would all require a manual of their own, tailored to their unique make and model. That’s why caregiving can be rewarding, as well as puzzling and demanding – particularly for family caregivers of children with disabilities. Although these caregivers often report that the role gives them a sense of purpose, it usually comes with physical, emotional and financial strains. COVID-19 has added major hurdles to accessing, delivering and evaluating special education services.