Special Education jumps to 4th in national rankings

Special Education was the biggest mover on the charts among UF College of Education academic programs in the U.S. News & World Reports’ annual rankings of America’s best graduate schools, released April 1.

UF’s Special Education program jumped from ninth to fourth in its specialty, its highest ranking ever. The Department of Special Education has hovered in and around the top 15 in the U.S. News rankings for more than a decade, placing as high as ninth three of the past four years. But this is the program’s first move into the top five.

“While I am skeptical of rankings, I’m pleased that our faculty have received this recognition for the fine work they do related to teacher education and research,” said James McLeskey, chairman of UF’s Department of Special Education since 1999.

UF’s special education program is recognized for landmark research that influences the teaching practice across the state and nation. Prominent research strengths include teacher education, behavior management and discipline, developing effective inclusive schools, and teaching children who experience problems learning to read.

The department’s Unified ProTeach program is known for producing early-childhood and elementary school teachers who are well-versed in addressing student diversity and prepared to face the realities of classrooms in today’s complex society.

At No. 4, UF trails only (in order) Vanderbilt University (Peabody), the University of Kansas and the University of Oregon in the national rankings for special education programs.

Other nationally ranked academic programs at UF’s College of Education are Counselor Education (No. 2) and Elementary Education (23rd). Overall, the College placed 44th, making it the highest ranking education school in Florida, and one of the top three colleges at UF.