UNIVERSITY NEWS - FEBRUARY 2004

MEDIA CONTACT: Kristine M. McGrath
561-297-1168, kmcgrath@fau.edu

FAU Hosts Regional Education Conference
U.S. Secretary of Education Roderick R. Paige and Florida DOE Leaders To Participate

BOCA RATON, FL (January 29, 2003) - 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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