Friday, April 18, 2008
Governor Signs Bill Laying Groundwork For Uni School To Research And Develop Innovative Teaching Practices
Des Moines – Today, Governor Chet Culver signed into law Senate File 2307, a bill which begins to lay the groundwork for what will become a State of Iowa Research, Development, Demonstration and Dissemination school at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. The legislation passed the House unanimously and passed the Senate 40-7.
According to Governor Culver, “When complete, this will be the state of Iowa facility where innovative and promising teaching practices are researched and developed, which will then be shared statewide.”
This facility will allow Iowa to continue to lead the country in education, with four simple goals in mind:
- Number one: It will be a site where innovative, promising teaching practices are researched and developed.
- Number two: Faculty will be directed to determine the best ways to raise and sustain the level students’ levels of educational attainment, from Pre-K all the way to graduation.
- Number three: it will serve as a facility to enhance and preparation and professional competence of educators.
- Fourth, and finally, it will focus on practical research to help meet the needs of every Iowa school.
“This is a common-sense approach to meeting the challenges of the 21st Century,” continued Governor Culver. “It will also help to ensure that all students, teachers, and school administrators in Iowa can benefit from cutting-edge research and development – regardless of geography, or school district.”