Dedicated to the belief that research is essential
The Iowa School Boards Foundation is dedicated to the belief that research is central to improvement in education. Every day, local, state and national leaders make policy decisions that affect the education of children in Iowa public schools. Yet far too often, these leaders lack good information on which to act.
The Iowa School Boards Foundation (ISBF) was created in part to implement the research policy of the Iowa Association of School Boards and use research associated with challenging issues, such as:
- School boards are challenged by a national education agenda--and their own moral commitment--to create great gains in student achievement, especially for low-achieving students. What can school boards do to meet these challenges?
- School boards are bombarded with claims about "research-based initiatives." Which of these initiatives will be appropriate and meaningful to match the needs of their students?
- State and national leaders consider billions of dollars in public funding for state and federal education programs. Which investments are proven to get results for improved outcomes for students?
Lasting benefits through informed decisions
Those who benefit from the foundation’s work include:
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School board members who make choices about policies and resource allocation that shape education in their communities.
- State and federal legislators who make decisions about state and federal support and mandates.
- Iowa citizens who care about the return on investment of $3.6 billion in public funds in education.
- Most crucially, the half million Iowa students whose future will be affected by better informed decisions.
We accomplish our ambitious mission through activities such as:
- Conducting original research focused on improving school board effectiveness in governing for high student achievement.
- Synthesizing and reporting summaries of existing research.
- Establishing partnerships with other associations and agencies with similar interests.
- Ensuring Iowa Association of School Boards programs and services are grounded in research-based information.
- Helping school boards and communities use good data and information to face current challenges such as: ensuring students have quality early childhood education so that all children learn to read well.
- Seeking grants and external funding sources to supplement IASB's support to the Foundation research efforts.