Issues in Education: White Papers

Board of Regents Mathematics & Science Education Collaborative Initiative

Jeffrey Weld, Ph.D., Collaborative Initiative leader

A recent report of the National Academy of Science warned of negative economic and societal consequences for our nation if downward trends in science and math education continue. Our national economy grows increasingly reliant on quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Education (STEM) programs at the very time when the performance of US students in math and science slips to all-time lows in comparison to youth of other developed nations.

Early Childhood Education

Betty Zan, Director Regents' Center for Early Developmental Education

Extensive research on the impact of high quality preschool programs shows that preschool increases the school readiness skills of children and sets them on a trajectory of long term economic and social success.

High School Reform

Michael Waggoner, Interim Department Head, Education Leadership, Counseling & Postsecondary Education; Dave Smith, Director, Malcolm Price Lab School

American high schools are in the spotlight. Critics point out that the way most schools are structured hasn’t changed much since the early 20th century. This archaic structure is inadequate to prepare today’s highly diverse graduates for a global economy and ever-changing workforce.

No Child Left Behind

Nadene Davidson, Interim Department Head, Office of Student Field Experiences

The rapidly changing world demands an educational system prepared to meet the dynamic, diverse needs of the 21st century learner. The current focus on a deficit model of standards-based instruction with student learning measured by a standardized test is not producing the results needed for each student to acquire the skills, knowledge and behaviors necessary to lead a satisfying life in the 21st Century.

National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS)

Donna Thompson, Executive Director, National Program for Playground Safety

NPPS was established in 1995 at the University of Northern Iowa with funding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  This funding lasted for ten years. Since that time, the program has become self-sustaining through revenue generation based on grants, sales of educational materials, and training services. 

Childhood Obesity

Larry D. Hensley, Director of Youth Fitness & Obesity Institute

Obesity has been declared an epidemic in the United States, with nearly two-thirds of adults being classified as overweight or obese. The number of children in the United States that are overweight or at risk for being overweight has more than tripled in the last 20 years. According to the Report to the President, Promoting Better Health for Young People Through Physical Activity and Sports (2000), our nation's young people are, in large measure, inactive, unfit, and increasingly overweight. It is currently estimated that over nine million young people are overweight. Studies indicate that overweight children are likely to become overweight adults, placing an even greater burden on the U.S. health care system.