Capitol Comments

2013 Legislative Survey

Prior to session starting I included in my newsletter a brief survey to find out what’s important to you. As your state representative while in Des Moines, my goal is to keep you updated on issues in the Iowa House and get your feedback throughout session. Many of you have already responded, but if you haven’t had a chance yet, please take the survey here. I look forward to hearing from you.

Representative Art Staed at Board of Regents breakfast reception.

With the Director of Linn County Veteran Affairs, Don Tyne, and fellow Linn County legislators during the Veterans Day at the Capitol. I’m honored to once again be on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee!

With Foundation 2 Executive Director, Barb Gay, discussing mental health reform and funding.

With Senator Hogg and Linn Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners Larry Jons and Dan Abel. We discussed watershed management, water quality, and nutrient run-off.

At the IA Commission of Persons w/Disabilities Reception. Visiting with Cedar Rapidians, Michelle Micalec, and LaSheila Yates about Human Rights & IDA. Great to see friends from back home!

Meeting with members of the Dept. of Corrections, including Director Gary Hinzman; Asst. Director Bruce Vander Sanden; and Board Member, Chuck Larson, SR.

Visiting with Dr. Katie Mulholland during the Board of Regents Legislative Breakfast.

Great visit with Diane Ramsey of Iowa Women’s Leadership Project. Diane updated me on the top ten issues of the project, including access to health care and equal pay for equal work.

Veterans Day on the Hill

Thanking veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice is a continued priority of the Legislature. This year veterans and their families traveled to the State Capitol for Veterans Day on the Hill. Throughout the day, veterans’ and their families met with legislators to discuss the priorities of the Veterans Coalition. The Veterans Coalition is a group representatives of various veterans organizations across Iowa. They work collectively to develop and advance policy ideas to assist veterans and their families in Iowa.

Education Reform Hearings Begin

The House opened hearings on the Governor’s Education reform plan this week in the Education Committee, of which I am a member. It’s just the first step in hearing from educators, parents, and students to gather input on education reform and build consensus on a plan that can win approval in the House and Senate. If you are interested in reading the Governor’s proposal please go to the website at: www.iowahouse.org/educationreform. I would appreciate any input you have on the proposed reforms and on the Governor’s edict delaying Allowable Growth funding for schools until his reforms are passed. Just a few highlights of the reform plan are below.

On-line Learning

Last year, after the Department of Education allowed two schools to hire a private, out-of-state company to run full-time education programs, there was a heated fight over how to limit their programs. This year, the Governor’s bill calls for expanding the state’s Iowa Learning On-Line system to provide more access to classes for students on a part-time basis. The latest provision is estimated by the Department of Education to provide services to 2,500 students.

Teach Iowa Initiative

Other provisions of the bill include a Teach Iowa Initiative that includes a marketing outreach campaign and an on-line job posting system. A Teach Iowa Scholar Fund would provide tuition reimbursement to teachers administered under the Department of Education. It would replace a similar program, the Teacher Loan Shortage program, which is currently administered by the College Student Aid Commission.

A teacher training pilot program would give students in teacher prep programs a one-year student teaching experience. Current programs are for one semester. Also, high school students would have the option of taking certain classes and if they score high enough on the ACT, they could receive a diploma with a seal certifying that they are college ready.

The Governor’s framework also includes five career or leadership roles for teachers intended to reward professional growth and effective teaching by providing pathways for career opportunities that involve increased leadership responsibilities and increased compensation, and improve student achievement by strengthening instruction.

Private Schools

The Governor’s plan does not have many requirements for private schools. They are not required to participate in the on-line job posting or the two-tiered graduation diploma system. Also, the main focus of the bill that deals with teacher and administrator evaluations and teacher compensation would not affect private schools.

Comments

As your Legislator, I must let you know that there are many unanswered questions regarding the proposals, including design, expected outcomes, implementation and funding. There will certainly be many rewrites and revisions in the coming weeks. Your input is valuable during this process.

I will be hosting a public forum on Education Reforms, with a review of the Governor’s proposal and the Education Committee’s work – with Q & A, at Kennedy High School Library, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Friday, February 8th.

Read More from the Iowa House

To read the rest of the Statehouse News go to: http://iowahouse.org/StatehouseNews/1-25-13.html