The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) released its 2014 Teacher Prep Review, with a much expanded and more comprehensive evaluation of 1,612 teacher preparation programs across the United States, and for the first time, a numeric ranking of programs. Furman University, Clemson University, College of Charleston and University of South Carolina - Columbia earned national 'Top Ranked' status—a distinction awarded to 107 programs in the nation for overall strong performance.