The University of Northern Iowa and the Iowa Department of Education are pleased the Legislature has passed and the Governor has signed Senate File 470 which supports the development of Iowa's first statewide Research & Development (R&D) school. This statewide R&D school will support every Iowa school district by focusing on Iowa's educational priorities while creating innovative and promising instructional practices to support the research and development needed by Iowa's 472,000 K-12 students and 34,600 full-time practicing K-12 teachers.

The R&D school -- a collaboration between the University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the Iowa Department of Education -- aims to raise and sustain the level of all Iowa Pre-K through 12 students' educational attainment and personal development, enhance the preparation and professional competence of Iowa educators and focus on research to meet Iowa's changing educational needs.

The University of Northern Iowa has a rich history of excellence in teacher education and is honored to be the home of the state's first R&D school. As the state leader in Pre-K through 12 education issues, UNI is helping to build a solid and secure future for Iowa and its citizens.

The Iowa Department of Education works with the Iowa State Board of Education to provide oversight, supervision, and support for the state education system that includes public elementary and secondary schools, nonpublic schools that receive state accreditation, area education agencies (AEAs), community colleges, and teacher preparation programs.

Judy Jeffrey,  Director,  Iowa Department of Education        

Ben Allen, President, University of Northern Iowa