The department is committed to the preparation and ongoing professional and intellectual development of teachers and educational specialists in PreK-12 schools. The faculty focus on teacher education, curriculum development, and issues of equity facing children and their families, teachers, and schools today. They are committed to providing instruction, conducting research, and offering service that supports the development of educators who, through their leadership, contribute to equity and excellence in education in the Commonwealth, the nation, and internationally. The department offers an undergraduate specialization in Early Childhood Education and also supports graduate programs in the areas of: Bilingual, English as a Second Language, and Multicultural Education; Child Study and Early Education; Children, Families and Schools; Elementary Teacher Education; Language, Literacy and Culture; Learning Media and Technology; Mathematics, Science and Learning Technologies; Reading and Writing; Secondary Teacher Education; Science Education; and Teacher Education and School Improvement.