Congratulations spring 2008 graduates!
You have worked extremely hard to get to this point, and you should be proud of all you have accomplished. Embarking on the next phase of your life is a very exciting time, and I encourage you to enjoy it to the greatest extent possible. Incredible possibilities are before you, and I am certain the education you received from the University of Northern Iowa will serve you well. Welcome to the Panther alumni family – you are Purple for Life!
Iowa legislature approves $4 million for the Regents Mathematics and Science Education Collaborative Initiative
We are pleased to lead this initiative in collaboration with the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The Initiative has three basic goals:
- To improve mathematics and science performance of Iowa students
- To prepare more high-quality mathematics and science teachers for Iowa’s schools
- To promote statewide collaboration and cooperation
To further the goals of the Initiative, several projects are proposed including the establishment of:
- The Regents Mathematics and Science Education Institute – to be located at UNI, with faculty and staff distributed at all three state universities
- Star Math and Science Majors to Teaching – addresses teacher shortage by recruiting students into math and science teaching
- Science and Math Teacher Real World Interns – summer math and science-related internships in the private and public sector for math and science
- Wider implementation of Project Lead The Way (PLTW) across Iowa – targets math and science curriculum and student recruitment to math and science careers
- Community College STEM Instructor Preparation and Updates – addresses shortage of math and science instructors at community colleges
Additional research to begin on Research and
Development School
On April 18, 2008 Governor Culver signed Senate File 2307 into law. This bill is a result of the recent Research and Development Prekindergarten through Grade Twelve School Feasibility Study. This legislation requires two committees to begin the work of researching additional financial information and implementation plans.
The goal of a state of Iowa Research, Development, Dissemination, and Demonstration (RDDD) school is to develop innovative and promising teaching practices that will be shared statewide.
Three guiding principles provide a focus for the work:
- Raise and sustain the level of all Iowa preK-12 students’ educational and attainment and personal development through innovative and promising practices
- Enhance the preparation and professional competence of Iowa educators through collaborative inquiry and exchange of professional knowledge in teaching and learning
- Focus on research which transforms practice to meet the changing needs of Iowa’s educational system
Benjamin J. Allen
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