KSU to house International Alliance for Invitational Education
A revolutionary approach to education was the focus during a recent event celebrating the…
Georgia (Feb 24, 2004) — KSU to house International Alliance for Invitational Education
Frances Weyand
Contact: Frances Weyand' Director of University Relations' 770−423−6203 or fweyand@kennesaw.edu
A revolutionary approach to education was the focus during a recent event celebrating the International Alliance for Invitational Education's move from its old headquarters in North Carolina to a new home at Kennesaw State University.
The alliance was co−founded in 1982 by KSU President Betty L. Siegel and Dr. William Watson Purkey. It is dedicated to the concept of invitational education' a theory of practice for communicating caring and appropriate messages intended to help students achieve their full potential' while at the same time identifying and changing forces within schools that prevent this process from taking place.
"Good teaching is the process of inviting students to see themselves as able' valuable and responsible' as well as an integral part of a collaborative community of learners'" Siegel explained. "Invitational educators believe that the major duty of the teacher is to create a learning environment that nurtures the basic tendency of students to grow beyond their present understanding of the world."
As a permanent campus presence' the IAIE — which has grown from 12 charter members to include hundreds of education professionals representing more than a dozen countries — will promote its philosophy of education in Georgia and beyond. A number of state leaders heard that message during the reception held at KSU Center' among them Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor' Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin' state senators Steve Thompson and Michael S. Meyer von Bremen' Speaker Pro Tem DuBose Porter and Senior Vice Chancellor for External Activities and Facilities Tom Daniel of the University System of Georgia.
"The invitational theory of education focuses on the human dimensions of education'" Siegel said. "Taken beyond the classroom to apply to campus life in general' this model can radically alter a school's culture' bringing all facets of the institution into alignment for the benefit of its students."
Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive' residential institution with a growing student population exceeding 17'400 from 131 countries. The third largest state university out of 34 institutions in the University System of Georgia' KSU offers more than 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.