This document summarizes a report on visiting Des Moines, Iowa. It provides background information on Iowa's geography, population, and education system. It discusses key collaborators in Iowa's education including the Department of Education, AEAs, and professional organizations. It also briefly profiles Iowa Public Television and its mission to educate and inspire Iowans. Finally, it addresses challenges around teacher retention and reasons why teachers leave, including lack of administrative support and faculty influence.

1. Report on Visiting Des Moines,Report on Visiting Des Moines,
IowaIowa
Ankeny District GroupAnkeny District Group
Peter ChangPeter Chang 張文乾張文乾
Ivy KuoIvy Kuo 郭藹儀郭藹儀
Jenny ChenJenny Chen 陳怡君陳怡君
Shuling WangShuling Wang 王淑玲王淑玲

2. USA
Canada
Mexico

3. Iowa State

4. Iowa: 56271 sq miles
Population: 3 million (2007 est.)
Taiwan: 13892 sq miles
Population: 23 million

5. CollaborationCollaboration
 Department of EducationDepartment of Education
 AEAsAEAs
 SAI: School Administrators ofSAI: School Administrators of
IowaIowa
 IASB: Iowa Association ofIASB: Iowa Association of
School BoardSchool Board
 ISEA: Iowa State EducationISEA: Iowa State Education
AssociationAssociation
 Higher EducationHigher Education
 Other ProfessionalOther Professional
OrganizationsOrganizations
Iowa’s Education Tradition

6. Iowa Public Television
MissionMission: To educate, inform,: To educate, inform,
enrich and inspire Iowans.enrich and inspire Iowans.

7. The statistics are grim…The statistics are grim…
I’ve heard a variety of statistics from multipleI’ve heard a variety of statistics from multiple
sources about teacher retention…justsources about teacher retention…just
hearing these latest numbers at anhearing these latest numbers at an
educational summit at ISU last Friday:educational summit at ISU last Friday:
11% leave after their 111% leave after their 1stst
year of teaching!year of teaching!
20% leave after their 220% leave after their 2ndnd
year!year!
27% leave after their 327% leave after their 3rdrd
year!year!
36% leave after their 436% leave after their 4thth
year!year!
46% leave after their 546% leave after their 5thth
year!year!

8. So why are theySo why are they
leaving?leaving?
At a policy makers meeting inAt a policy makers meeting in
Philadelphia in July, the followingPhiladelphia in July, the following
reasons were shared based from thereasons were shared based from the
American Educational Research.American Educational Research.
1. The lack of administrative1. The lack of administrative
support!support!
2. The lack of faculty influence…2. The lack of faculty influence…

9. One interpretation…One interpretation…
Teachers want/need to feelTeachers want/need to feel
empowered!empowered!
Remember…Remember…
teacher’s working conditions areteacher’s working conditions are
student learning conditions!student learning conditions!

10. The Language Education:The Language Education:
TheThe passionpassion is the worldis the world
Past: Taught ‘Past: Taught ‘formform’ of the language’ of the language
Present: Teach ‘Present: Teach ‘functionfunction’ of the language’ of the language
Future: Understand ‘Future: Understand ‘valuevalue’ of the language’ of the language

11. Philosophy We Count OnPhilosophy We Count On
A teacher will be a character count,A teacher will be a character count,
an advocate foran advocate for ETHICS.ETHICS.
EExpress concern to all individuals and organizations that influence youth.xpress concern to all individuals and organizations that influence youth.
TTeach your family the importance of character by living according to the six core ethical values.each your family the importance of character by living according to the six core ethical values.
HHold yourself and others more strictly accountable to live up to the six core ethical values.old yourself and others more strictly accountable to live up to the six core ethical values.
IInform yourself about what is going on in schools and youth organizations.nform yourself about what is going on in schools and youth organizations.
CCreate atmosphere of positive and negative consequences that encourages and prizesreate atmosphere of positive and negative consequences that encourages and prizes
good character.good character.
SSupport individuals and organizations engaged in character-development activities.upport individuals and organizations engaged in character-development activities.

12. Thinking Room

13. Students deserve the best.

14. Famous People Fair
Discover the World At Your Library!Discover the World At Your Library!

15. Locating Resources Available
““We fundWe fund
schools becauseschools because
good educationgood education
could attractcould attract
parents to live inparents to live in
this area, andthis area, and
then we benefitthen we benefit
from it.”from it.” WestWest
bank managerbank manager
told us.told us.

16. Attention on each individual child!

17. Everybody Can Make a Difference.
Can you spot the differences?

18. Everybody Can Make a Difference.
DEAR all, let’s all DEAR!
DDroprop
EEverythingverything
AAndnd
RRead!ead!

19. Learning to Read:
Beginning Reading Instruction
DefinitionDefinition: Fluency is the ability to: Fluency is the ability to
Read with speed, accuracy,Read with speed, accuracy,
intonation and phrasing.intonation and phrasing.
Strategies:Strategies:
Repeated reading / Choral readingRepeated reading / Choral reading
Modeling fluent reading / Paired readingModeling fluent reading / Paired reading
Tape recorded passages / Reader’sTape recorded passages / Reader’s
theater / Echo Readingtheater / Echo Reading

20. Extended Learning Programs:
* Become independent, life-long learnersBecome independent, life-long learners
* Develop abilities through challenging activities* Develop abilities through challenging activities
* Work with others of similar abilities* Work with others of similar abilities
* Receive appropriate guidance and counseling* Receive appropriate guidance and counseling
* Receive career counseling and exploration* Receive career counseling and exploration
opportunitiesopportunities

21. Special Education
IDEA: The Individual with DisabilityIDEA: The Individual with Disability
Education Act (2004)Education Act (2004)
AEAs: Area Education AgencyAEAs: Area Education Agency
IEP: Individualized Education ProgramIEP: Individualized Education Program
Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast

22. Globalization and Cross-Culture
Awareness

23. UniversalUniversal
Belief:Belief:
DIVERSITYDIVERSITY

24. Good Choices! If it is to be,Good Choices! If it is to be,
it is up to beit is up to be MEME!!

25. Everybody Can Make a Difference.Everybody Can Make a Difference.
The world is reachable just within our hands.The world is reachable just within our hands.
The Cloud Gate,The Cloud Gate,
ChicagoChicago

26. Everybody Can Make a Difference.Everybody Can Make a Difference.
Remember many eyes on us everyday!Remember many eyes on us everyday!

27. Each Step Counts!Each Step Counts!

28. You and I can help our studentsYou and I can help our students
make a difference.make a difference.
““Love & Character” is the goal ofLove & Character” is the goal of
education.education.
~ Dr. Martin Luther~