History

The Cathedral of Learning

The Institute for International Studies in Education (IISE), created in 1987, builds on over 50 years of the School of Education’s distinguished history of involvement in comparative, international, and development education projects and research all over the world. IISE is comprised of a group of faculty and professionals working on doctoral degrees at the University of Pittsburgh.

Through IISE, faculty and professionals from the United States and overseas pursue an institutional focus on such areas as Higher Education Policy, Planning, Management and Evaluation; Elementary and Secondary Education Policy, Planning, Management and Evaluation; Curriculum Reforms and Textbook Production; Educational Testing and Assessment; Participatory Planning for Educational Renewal; Teacher Development through Active Learning; Decision-Oriented Research; and Distance Education.

Faculty and professionals affiliated with IISE are involved in research, sector assessment, project and program evaluation activities; and technical cooperation and professional exchanges with educators from all over the world. In collaboration with other Schools, Departments and Centers of the University, faculty members affiliated with IISE conduct special training programs for educators and government officials from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Founded in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh is one of the oldest universities in the United States. The University actively promotes joint research, teaching and service activities with other institutions worldwide. It has one of the largest numbers of international students in all fields and majors in the United States.

The School of Education has three departments: Educational Foundations, Organizations, and PolicyHealth and Human Development and Teaching, Learning, and Leading. The School has more than 100 faculty members, about 60 of whom have international experience. All have worked with international students on campus. These Departments offer a wealth of in-house expertise and resources for the development of cooperative projects with international agencies and overseas governments.