Open forum will educate, update public about School of Education

Thaddeus Mast

This summer will bring about an exciting new addition to Iowa State: the creation of a School of Education.

To help educate and update the public on the progress made for the opening of the school, an open forum will take place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at 0102 Science Hall.

The forum will be hosted by Pamela White, dean of the College of Human Sciences, and Carl Smith and Dan Robinson, School of Education Implementation Committee co-chairmen.

The vision of the school, according to its website, is to “be a premier leader in education with a special emphasis in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education and leadership.

“The school will advance research and scholarship in the areas of teaching, learning and leadership for PK-20 and prepare professionals for instructional environments of schools, community colleges and universities globally.”

While education majors are not new at Iowa State, the new school will allow for a more streamlined and focused schooling as opposed to the current situation, where the department is more of a combination of multiple parts. The school will, however, continue to operate under the College of Human Sciences, with the unannounced director of the school reporting directly to the dean of that college.

The Board of Regents approved the School of Education on Dec. 8, and it will be officially created on July 1.