Seattle Pacific University to establish education research center with grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

SEATTLE -- Seattle Pacific University (SPU) today announced a $1.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish an education research center that will measure the progress of education reforms throughout the state. The award is part of a series of grant programs announced by the Foundation last month aimed at helping all students achieve at high levels by improving teaching and learning, and enhancing access to technology.

"Seattle Pacific University has a long history of service to teachers and schools in Washington state," said Tom Vander Ark, Executive Director, Education Initiative for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "We value this opportunity to join SPU and other organizations throughout Washington state in working on programs that help all students achieve."

The director of the new center is Dr. Jeffrey Fouts, professor of education at SPU. For several years, Fouts and a team of researchers at SPU have studied education reform and presented their findings to education, government and business leaders. The team is currently researching structural, legal and personnel factors that are inhibiting reform efforts in Washington state.

"Right now, there is no organization in the state that provides the education community with research-based information about school achievement data," says Fouts. "We feel the work of the center will build on and extend our research to benefit educators everywhere."

Fouts outlined the specific functions of the center, which will be established in July 2000 on the SPU campus.

Seattle Pacific University President Philip W. Eaton looks forward to SPU's (www.spu.edu) expanded role in strengthening education reform in the state. "This is truly a tremendous opportunity for Dr. Fouts and SPU," says Eaton. "Reform is in the air, and the new center will play a key role in making a difference in the community on this critical issue."