UNI Education Summit to Focus on Systemic Reform of Iowa Education

Recent research suggests that American school children are falling behind their international cohorts in academic skills at all education levels (Center for Research on Human Capital and Education; ETS, 2013). Creating and delivering quality education requires a complex system of institutions. Institutional change (reform) is always difficult; however, it becomes significantly more probable if relevant stakeholders are involved at all levels of the reform process. This necessary connectedness among stakeholders is essential for lasting systemic change to occur. Speakers and participants at the UNI Education Summit will discuss topics related to education reform, with particular emphasis on the areas of literacy/reading, rural education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) instruction.

Governor Branstad, the Iowa Legislature and the Iowa Department of Education have signaled their understanding of the need for education reform as follows:

• Passed and signed HF 215, an omnibus education reform bill addressing issues such as:  school funding, teacher recruitment, teacher advancement and accountability requirements.
• Passed and signed SF 2319, a bill that directly addresses assisting young children who underperform in reading, specifically because of dyslexia.
• Created and funded Iowa Reading Research Center (IRRC).

The purpose of the annual UNI Education Summit is, and will continue to be, to provide a venue and an opportunity for discussion among institutions and individuals involved in, and necessary for, the successful, systemic reform of Iowa education.

For more information and to register, visit the UNI Education Summit website.