A INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH THE INDIANA STATE READING ASSOCIATION

     It is with much excitement that Indiana State University’s College of Education pledges support for Dr. Diana Quatroche as the new Executive Director of the Indiana State Reading Association (ISRA).  The strong academic credentials of Dr. Quatroche, coupled with her enthusiasm for reading is a perfect match with the College of Education’s commitment to educational outreach, community engagement, and best-practice reading licensure programming for educators.  Currently, Dr. Quatroche serves as the Chairperson for the Elementary, Early, and Special Education Department.  Simply stated, Dr. Quatroche has been instrumental in advancing the College’s reading and literacy identity through pre-service teacher preparation; an identity that has now gained national prominence. 

     The College of Education’s reading and literacy identity can be evidenced, in part, because of Dr. Quatroche and her department colleagues’ reading tutoring programs offered regularly in the Terre Haute community. Their longest running program is Reading Corps, offered in conjunction with the Vigo County Library. Another program in its second successful year is a reading initiative offered after school to second-grade students in one of our Professional Development Schools with plans for expansion.   

     The College of Education recently codified its mission statement—To prepare, promote, and advance educational and human service professionals for a diverse and ever-changing world.  Given this mission, the College is committed to supporting and extending the efforts of the ISRA, which includes supporting local reading councils, providing conferences and programs, seeking legislation in support of sound reading practices, and providing opportunities for higher education reading faculty to work with P-12 educators. 

     The College of Education is excited to support the ISRA with a myriad of resources.  In particular, the College is proud of its long-standing technology identity as a powerful teaching/learning tool.  The College will offer Dr. Quatroche and the ISRA enhanced technology capacity for web design, on-line registration for conferences, training opportunities, and publication assistance.  College graduate credit and license credit renewal units (CRUs) will also be available for select ISRA activities.

      Soon, the College of Education and Dr. Quatroche will have a new academic home—University Hall. Known by many as the Laboratory School, the school closed in 1992 after almost 60 years of K-12 educational programming. University Hall is currently the largest state-funded project in the University’s history.  The approximate $30 million renovation project is expected to be complete by March 2009.  Space has been dedicated within the renovated facility to support the ISRA, the Executive Director, and an Administrative Assistant.

     Indiana State University and the College of Education are indeed proud to support Dr. Quatroche and the ISRA.  This bright and hopeful partnership will truly enhance reading initiatives throughout Indiana.