Singing the praises of the Iowa Reading Research Center

Mark Draper (r) with Rep. Art Staed,
(D), Cedar Rapids.
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Last week, the Iowa Reading Research Center (IRRC) hosted a breakfast at the State Capitol for Iowa legislators. Many members of the IRRC Advisory Council, including Mark Draper (director of special education), were on hand to discuss the statewide initiatives the IRRC has in place to combat literacy issues in Iowa. 
     "We were able to meet with the majority of those on the House and Senate Education Committees and Subcommittees,' Mark said.
     The IRRC advisory council works to foster collaboration between the IRRC and the evaluation community. It stays abreast of emerging trends, research and effective literacy practices, and reviews and recommends projects and priorities to the Iowa Dept. of Education. IRRC is "leading the charge" on what interventions will be most effective for students who are poor readers, Draper added. 
     On another note, some of you may remember Sandy Schmitz who worked for AEA 13, 1981-87. She is now the assistant director of the IRRC. Read more about the IRRC here.