About the Center

The National Center for Urban Education at UDC is dedicated to helping students in urban America achieve their full academic and social potential. The Center offers a variety of degree programs that develop capable, committed, and effective teachers who can advance student learning and who believe that delivering high-quality urban education is the highest form of social justice

As a practice-oriented, research-driven, results-focused graduate Center, we work to achieve this mission by:

• developing effective teachers and school leaders for urban schools
• operating high-quality educational programs in partnership with local schools
• conducting, applying, and disseminating research aimed at improving student achievement and informing public policy

The Center proudly embodies UDC’s long-standing commitment to preparing educators. UDC is an urban land-grant university and the only public institution of higher education in the nation’s capital. Founded in 1976, UDC traces its roots to Miner Normal School, a school for African American girls founded in 1851 that eventually became Miner Teachers College, D.C.’s first public college.  Consistent with its original purpose, the University remains committed to the development of teachers and education leaders.

The home for UDC’s programs in education is the National Center for Urban Education, launched in 2010 in response to the national crisis in urban education and the challenges facing the District of Columbia Public Schools. The Center is a bold and timely initiative that embraces national and local imperatives to rethink and dramatically improve teacher education programs, particularly in urban education.