Press Release
April 28, 2008
Iowa Legislature approves $4 million for the Regents Mathematics and Science Education Collaborative Initiative
The Iowa Legislature has approved $4 million for the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, Mathematics and Science Education Collaborative Initiative. The Initiative is led by the University of Northern Iowa 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; and
- To promote statewide collaboration and cooperation.
"We appreciate the outstanding support of the governor, his staff and the legislators for their confidence and funding of this Initiative," said Ben Allen, UNI president. "We look forward to working not only with the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, but with all the stakeholders across the state on this vital task of restoring Iowa's historic leadership position in math and science education."
"I'm excited to work collaboratively with the various stakeholders as we strengthen math and science education opportunities for teachers and our young generation of students who will prove to be the backbone of our 21st century economy and society," said Jeff Weld, Initiative leader.
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.