GW’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development is ranked the 30th-best program in the country, despite its relatively short 20-year history and small size, according to a U.S. News and World Report study.

Among a list dominated by larger and longer-standing public institutions, GSEHD gained high marks in reputation among high school superintendents and research expenditures.

Dean Mary Futrell said GW’s research funding was a major factor in boosting the school to its spot in the top 30.

I’ve been really pushing the faculty to be more assertive in pursuing their research agendas and publishing their reports, she said.

GSEHD raised $12.1 million in research expenditures in 1998-`99 fiscal year, the same as top-ranked Harvard University. The sum, which has doubled in five years, marks a $3-million increase from the 1997-`98 fiscal year. Only 13 universities in the top 50 raised more money for research.

Jay Shotel, chair of the Department of Teacher Preparation and Special Education, said the amount of research dollars also helps another major category considered by U.S. News – reputation.

Ranked 44th by university deans and associate deans, GW’s GSEHD gained high marks with high school superintendents, who ranked GW 20th in reputation. The rankings from each group are up from last year because of more open communication and information sharing with deans and superintendents around the country, Futrell said.

So much of this is reputation . I value superintendents more because it shows the value of our product, Shotel said. If you want to hire a researcher, you go to Harvard. If you want to hire a strong teacher, you go to GW.

Shotel said he is impressed by GW’s success, considering the program is relatively young, small and unaffordable for students compared to the larger public universities that comprise the bulk of the list.

When we beat some of the publics, it makes me smile, he said.

He cited Vanderbilt University, ranked sixth overall, and Boston College, ranked 23rd overall, as GW’s main targets to gain ground on next year. GW’s graduate program for education is the new kid on the block, that strive(s) to be in the same conversation with Vanderbilt and BC, he said.

Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College was ranked sixth overall, with $16.5 million in research funds and an acceptance rate about one half of GW’s 66.3 percent. Boston College scored closely with GW in most categories. Vanderbilt has a better reputation in applied research, while BC’s faculty is more famous and widely published, Shotel said.

GW ranked near the bottom of the top 50 in acceptance rate, at 66.3 percent, and reputation among university deans and associate deans nationwide.

Only three universities in the top 50 had entering classes with lower average quantitative GRE scores than GW, and four had lower average analytical GRE scores. The average GPA of students entering GW in 1999 remained at 3.05, while average GRE scores dropped 22 points, according to University statistics submitted to U.S. News and World Report.

Futrell said her goal is to put the school in the top 25 by responding to the needs of teachers in the profession, teaching students nationwide standards, working more closely with technology, doing more action research and recruiting highly qualified students.

The graduate school’s faculty research includes studies on AIDS, disabled children and the trend toward more standardized testing nationwide.