In the U.S. News & World Report rankings of graduate schools released this month, the Neag School of Education continues to achieve top-ranking status, rising in the rankings to #28 in the nation among all graduate schools of education, up four places from last year.

Among public graduate schools of education, the Neag School is ranked #17.

In addition, the #28 ranking puts the Neag School in the top 10 percent of all graduate schools of education surveyed by U.S. News & World Report.

In the specialty rankings, the Neag School’s Special Education program is #12 in the nation; and both the Elementary Teacher Education and the Secondary Teacher Education programs are at #18 among approximately 1,500 teacher preparation programs across the nation.

Each year, U.S. News gathers opinion data from school superintendents and deans across the country to rank professional school programs. Thomas DeFranco, dean of the Neag School, says he is proud of the accomplishments of the faculty and staff in achieving this ranking. He says the rankings serve as one of several barometers used by the Neag School to assess its reputation and quality of its programs.

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

“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,” DeFranco adds.

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