Engage directly with state leaders and educators to affirm IU’s commitment, align objectives, and develop areas of innovation. IU’s P-12 research, contributions, and institutional practices will be designed to support Indiana’s college and career goals.
In response to Indiana’s ambitious literacy goals, Indiana University solidified its position as a leader in teacher preparation by swiftly aligning its literacy education programs with the state’s Science of Reading standards.
With only 33% of fourth graders reading at grade level, the state mandated new reading standards aiming for 95% proficiency by 2027. As the largest producer of teaching licenses in Indiana, IU offered the state a model of agility and excellence in program adaptation. Within six months, university faculty revised 64 literacy courses, trained 475 education majors on the Keys to Literacy, and enhanced faculty development initiatives, all while maintaining strong connections to P-12 classroom practices.
IU implemented changes based on feedback from the Teacher Prep Inspection and the National Council on Teacher Quality. As these reviews progress, IU remains poised to continue its leadership in literacy education, providing future teachers with the skills necessary to help all Hoosier students succeed.
These efforts equip future educators with the latest tools and knowledge to foster reading proficiency, demonstrating IU’s dedication to shaping the state’s educational landscape.
4,700+Students reached since 2017
570Teachers reached
Indiana University’s Educating for Environmental Change (EfEC) project is transforming how P-12 educators teach environmental science and policy, helping overcome barriers like misinformation and lack of resources. Led by J. Adam Scribner, director of STEM education initiatives in the IU Bloomington School of Education, and Michael Hamburger, professor of Geophysics in the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, EfEC brings together educators, scientists, and veteran teachers to create dynamic, hands-on workshops that engage both teachers and their students in critical discussions about climate change and environmental resilience.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, EfEC delivered six impactful one-day workshops, covering topics ranging from extreme weather to geoengineering and biodiversity. Educators learned through immersive experiences, such as bird banding (led by Ellen Ketterson and Alex Jahn to explore biodiversity’s connection to climate change, or how to design climate-engineering solutions (led by scientists Paul Goddard and Ben Kravitz). Teachers didn’t just sit in classrooms; they were in the field, collecting data and testing real-world applications, making these workshops not just educational but transformative. Participants left with the tools, knowledge, and passion to spark environmental awareness in their students.
Teachers traveled from across Indiana demonstrating their commitment to creating a future-ready generation. Educators took home classroom-ready materials, including science kits and lesson plans, and gained access to a supportive network of peers and experts. They weren’t alone in this journey; they were part of a larger movement empowering students to tackle environmental challenges head-on.
Since its inception in 2017, EfEC has reached 570 teachers and, through them, over 47,000 students. While these numbers are impressive, this project is significant because of the lives touched, the future scientists inspired, and the communities engaged. EfEC stands as a powerful example of how IU’s commitment to education is making a tangible impact, preparing the next generation to navigate and combat environmental change with resilience and informed action.
