Kagen said all of Lagemann’s accomplishments were guided by a principle of enhancing the status of the profession of education.

“As a historian of education, she has a very deep view of the way in which education as a field and as a profession needs to by itself be stronger and be more respected within society,” said Kagen.

Under Lagemann, the faculty also saw some growth. She made four appointments during her three years, upping the total number of faculty in the school to 65, 21 of whom are professors.

As Lagemann leaves, the next dean’s principal challenge will be to oversee the GSE’s planned move to Allston. She said the planning will take several years, and that there should be one dean to oversee the school throughout those years.

“One of the reasons why I decided to step down is it’s a natural break point in a sense. The next person’s who’s in is going to have stay through the planning of Allston,” she said.

Lagemann said the GSE will benefit from the new facilities in Allston.

She said that many students find themselves sitting on the floor during class because the classrooms are not big enough, that there are not enough classrooms or bathrooms, and that professors’ offices are incredibly small.

“We increasingly are unable to fulfill our academic mission” because of the poor conditions, Lagemann said.

—Staff writer William C. Marra can be reached at wmarra@fas.harvard.edu.