The following is excerpted from President Keiser’s State of the University Address, 2001

“New ideas and progress come from hard work, committed researchers, lab time and partnerships. This process requires tolerance and understanding, and it applies to the conversation we are having about Greenwood Laboratory School. From my perspective and, I believe, that of the Board of Governors, Greenwood, unique in the state of Missouri, represents a special and mandatory opportunity for educational achievement and advancement based on a K-12 establishment in the midst of a university campus supported by a universitywide, committed faculty and by caring parents. The conversation is meant to focus and to strengthen Greenwood, not to cripple or eliminate it.”

“The goal is to make Greenwood Laboratory School an essential part of the Missouri State University System by fulfilling the goals set for it in Countdown to the Missouri State Centennial, 2000-2006. That reads:

‘The University will continue to serve as a site for experimental and innovative programs and as a clearing house for research findings and best practices to enhance continuing education and advanced program experiences. One such site is Greenwood Laboratory School, located on campus, which will continue to play a role in the preparation of professional educators by providing quality K-12 educational experiences. Building on the foundation of the laboratory school, Greenwood will be increasingly integrated into the University.’

In March, long before our recent budget problems and after conversation with our Board, I asked Dean Hough from the College of Education to bring in a consultant to consider whether we were meeting these officially adopted goals. I also asked Dr. Barbara Burns, Mr. Joe Turner, Mr. Tom Strong, Senator Roseanne Bentley and Dr. Jim Baker to serve on an evaluation committee to make recommendations for action after study.”

“They have made their first report which begins by saying, ‘The Greenwood Laboratory School was founded in 1906 as a training center for teachers and administrators. Its role is to: provide a quality education for its students; assist with the preparation of pre-service teachers; assist with the professional development of teachers and administrators by partnering with the Southwest Professional Development Center; host, sponsor, and conduct educational research; develop innovative ideas and concepts, and disseminate best practices.’ The Task Force follows this with 10 reasonable recommendations, some of which I have asked the Dean to implement.”

“Building on our regional strengths by recognizing what and where Greenwood is, and what and where it is not, as well as the fact that Missouri State is committed to producing the best teaching and teachers in the Midwest, we have a compelling opportunity and major obligation to use Greenwood for that purpose while giving its students the best possible education. I have asked Dr. Schmidt and Dean Hough to involve each of our colleges and relevant departments as well as the Greenwood faculty and parents in developing structured ways to share the exciting opportunities to teach K-12 students throughout our campus, to consider new ways of doing things and to make Greenwood Laboratory School a model for Metropolitan Universities nationwide. This will happen only if it is done in positive fashion with the recognition that if a gap has developed between the purpose and the actual operation of Greenwood it has been the result of lack of leadership on the University’s part. We intend to provide that leadership. Given the deep feelings about Greenwood and the fact that everyone in Missouri is an expert on education, this can only be done in an atmosphere of civility and toleration, to which our third Community Principle commits us.”