UNI officials set to make major education announcement

University of Northern Iowa officials are expected to make a major announcement about the future of the school's well-known teacher education program.

UNI President Ben Allen is scheduled to speak Wednesday afternoon at the student union. The university isn't releasing details, but says the news will -- quote -- "have a significant impact on students pursuing education careers and on faculty teaching and research."

Gov. Terry Branstad and other guests are expected to join Allen at the announcement.

UNI says it graduates more than 500 teachers every year, and claims more than 17,000 alumni educators around the world. But its program has been challenged in recent years by funding cuts. Allen last year

closed the Price Lab, a public school run by UNI's College of Education.