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UNIVERSITY NEWS - FEBRUARY 2004
MEDIA CONTACT: Kristine M. McGrath
FAU Hosts Regional Education Conference
BOCA RATON, FL (January 29, 2003)
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In response to Florida's school
districts' need to improve reading and literacy in the middle
and high school grades, Florida Atlantic University's College
of Education will host the state's first-ever regional
education conference "Literacy In Teaching: Next Steps For
University Partners." The education conference will take
place Thursday, January 29 from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and
Friday, January 30 from 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. in FAU's
University Center on the Boca Raton Campus.
The conference, which is designed to identify the role of universities and colleges in preparing all teachers to be reading teachers, will feature a presentation by U.S. Secretary of Education Roderick R. Paige, who will discuss the importance of reading and the No Child Left Behind law.
"This conference will be an
opportunity for school districts and institutes of higher
education to collaborate toward professional development of
teachers, especially in regard to research in literacy
practices," said Dr. Greg Aloia, dean of FAU's College of
Education. "It is our hope that we can increase awareness
and understanding through collaboration to better prepare
teachers to achieve success in teaching, develop innovative
programs to benefit school districts in our area and
increase recognition for the research and educational
programs that address literacy in teaching."
A leader in the state's education
system, FAU President Frank T. Brogan, who served as
Commissioner of Education and school superintendent, will
open the education conference by discussing the importance
of research and collaboration amongst university, school
and community partners.
"Preparing teachers to achieve
success in the classroom is of utmost importance to the
education system," said FAU President Frank T. Brogan. "It
is my hope that FAU can contribute in the development of
innovative education programs so that school districts in
our service area and beyond may benefit."
The conference, which will be
attended by teachers, school board members, school district
administrators and leaders in the education field, will
also feature the following noted speakers: Florida
Department of Education Commissioner Jim Horne, Florida
Department of Education K-12 Chancellor James Warford,
Florida Department of Education's Just Read, Florida!
Reading Specialists Kelly Magill and Ruth Gumm-Shearon in
addition to several nationally recognized researchers in
literacy education.
As part of the program, participants
will have the opportunity to attend a number of break out
sessions specific to individual interests. Topics for the
breakout sessions include, "Strategic Teaching and
Learning: Implications for School-University Partnerships,"
"Research in Literacy through the Arts" and "Special Needs,
Communication Disorders & Literacy."
Closing the conference's first day
of activities, Brogan will host a Presidential Reception on
Thursday evening at 5 p.m. at the Eleanor R. Baldwin House.
As part of the reception, the Department of Education will
present the national Milken Educator Award to four
outstanding teachers who are furthering excellence in
education.
Following the education conference,
FAU's College of Education will summarize and disseminate
the conference's findings to all participants, in addition
to a national and international education audience.
Washington Mutual is the exclusive
sponsor of the conference. Last year, the company awarded
$15 million in cash grants to schools and education
organizations across the country, with 50 percent of that
dedicated to programs supporting teachers specifically.
"Supporting education is a top
priority for Washington Mutual," said Gwynn Virostek, group
manager of Washington Mutual. "For students to meet
ambitious academic standards, they must have superbly
prepared teachers."
Washington Mutual is the seventh
largest banking company in the U.S. with more than 2,700
consumer banking, mortgage lending, commercial banking,
consumer finance and financial services offices throughout
the nation.
For more information on the
"Literacy in Teaching Conference: Next Steps for University
Partners," contact Vilma Petrovsky at 561-297-1023.
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