Iowa Students and Teachers Head Back to School
Over the next three weeks, over 500,000 Iowa children, and teachers like me, will head back to the classroom for another school year.
Many students will benefit from action taken by the Iowa Legislature to boost student achievement and ensure that they graduate with the skills necessary to continue their education after high school, enter a career or land a good-paying job.
One of the improvements this year is expanded literacy screening – identifying students who are reading below grade level and then providing intensive learning support to help them become better readers.
Other highlights this year include:
- 39 school districts are rolling out plans for compensation systems with increased teacher responsibilities, improved salaries and more professional collaboration.
- Schools districts have the option of tracking learning time by either days or hours, and many have switched to hours for more flexibility in scheduling instruction.
- Area Education Agencies and the Iowa Reading Research Center will collaborate to provide teachers with reading professional development.
- A school district’s ability to establish a whole-grade sharing agreement with another district is extended until 2019.
- A person issued a coaching authorization now falls under laws to prevent sexual exploitation by a school employee.
- Funding is expanded for online learning with 42 more courses offered through Iowa Learning Online.
- The state’s voluntary preschool program will again provide over 20,000 four year olds statewide with 10 hours of instruction each week. Longitudinal research shows preschool participants are less likely to need special education, repeat grades, drop out, or get into trouble with the law.
Higher Education
Iowa’s colleges and universities will also begin fall classes within the month. Students attending an Iowa Regent university will again benefit from a tuition freeze approved by legislators in an effort to keep college more affordable.
Another 95,000 Iowans will be attending one of Iowa’s 15 community colleges this fall, including Kirkwood Community College here in Cedar Rapids. Those students can take advantage of expanded job training and financial assistance to launch a career.
Auditor Gives State Budget High Marks
State Auditor Mary Mosiman completed her evaluation of the state budget for fiscal year 2015 with full reserve funds at $696 million and a surplus of $735 million. Combined, this is a total of $1,431,000,000. The final budget approved this year spends $6.98 billion from the state general fund, is balanced, and leaves an ending balance of $735 million.
The Auditor raised concerns about multi-year accelerating financial commitments, such as the property tax reform law and the education reform law – legislation that will reduce the amount of revenues available by $150 million in fiscal year 2015 and more in future years. The Auditor noted that State officials must continue to ensure that the State maintains adequate resources to meet these commitments.
While the State’s spending limitation law allows 99% of the available general fund revenues to be expended, the state will spend only 90.5% of the available revenues and will have a strong surplus of $735 million. Additionally, with the state’s savings accounts full at $696 million, the Legislature is well-positioned to fulfill its commitment to commercial property tax relief, education reform, and other key priorities for many years to come.
The Iowa Transportation Commission held a Public Input Meeting at the Doubletree Hotel in Cedar Rapids. Constituent Amy Reasner is serving on the Commission. Amy spoke about the many quality development projects in the Corridor being supported by DOT partnerships. City Manager, Jeff Pomeranz, addressed the Commission regarding numerous transportation improvement initiatives in CR. It was exciting to attend this meeting, and to be reminded of the robust economic activity occurring in the region.
This 800 kW solar farm near Kalona has 2,900 solar panels capable of generating more than a million kW hours each year. The output will be sold to all the REC customers in the region. An incredible boon for businesses, economic development, and for local farmers and residents.
AF General Ronald E. Keys (retired, 4-star) spoke on behalf of CNA’s Military Advisory Board. He stated in his remarks that “diversifying our nation’s energy mix to include local sources that can never run out, is an important element in boosting America’s energy independence. It makes us less dependent on nations that don’t always have our best interests at heart.”
The Hygienic Lab in Coralville performs a myriad of tests (over 500,000 annually) in numerous areas that include: FERN Chemistry, Industrial Hygiene, Limnology, Radiochemistry, Bacteriology, Environmental Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, and Serology. For more info on the incredible work being conducted to protect the public health – state, national and worldwide – go to shl.uiowa.edu . Pat Blake, Strategic Communications Director at the Hygienic Lab, and Doug Beardsley, Director of the Johnson Co. Public Health, spoke with me about the many services the lab provides. Mary Lou Erlacher, Director of Kirkwood’s Workplace Learning Connection, also participated in the tour. Kirkwood students and instructors will be able to partner with the Hygienic Laboratory to advance laboratory science learning. The lab provides a conference center (which accommodates 150 people), houses BSL2 & BSL3 training labs, and additional classroom space. This is definitely one of the most amazing labs I’ve ever seen – puts CSI to shame!
United Way of East Central Iowa celebrated its 100th Birthday at Brucemore! Congratulations, United Way, for 100 years of service to our communities!
At the White House Rural Council Made in America regional forum at Cornell College. U.S. Trade Representative, Michael Froman, spoke on positioning rural America for successful export business. A panel of resource service experts for providing technical and other assistance to rural businesses included: Moderator, Linn County Supervisor, Linda Langston; Kathy Hill, International Trade Office Mgr.; Dennis Jordan, VP of Economic Development with Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance; John Belmont, Communication Mgr. Food Export Assc.; Joe Folsom, District Director of the US SBA; Patricia Cook, Dir. of US Commercial Service, International Trade Admin, US Dept. of Commerce; and Jan Blaho, Regional Dir, Export/Import Bank of the US. Another good initiative with the potential to open new worlds of opportunity for products made in Iowa
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Attended the Linn County Community Partnership meeting at Mercy Hospital in CR, facilitated by United Way of East Central Iowa and United Way 2-1-1. We discussed and prioritized upcoming activities and next steps for maximizing the delivery and quality of health care in Linn Co. The purpose and focus of the organization is to ensure that all eligible Iowans receive appropriate health care, whether it be ACA, Iowa’s Medicaid plan, or other options from the Marketplace. Major topics of discussion included: mental health needs, dental coverage, transportation, prescription drug costs, outreach in rural areas, and proximity and access to primary care. It’s heartening to see a well-functioning partnership sharing resources and addressing critical issues, jointly. Learn more about the 24 partners here:www.linncounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/1604
The Linn County REAP Committee met at Squaw Creek Park in Marion. During this meeting, they approved a grant application for consideration by the state REAP board. The project would provide $70,000 to Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area for an overnight/educational campsite. This would be a wonderful resource for students to learn more about Iowa’s Native American history.
The committee also discussed proposals for prairie plantings and native flowers (as well as paving) along the section of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail which extends north to Center Point. The trail has 250,000 annual visits – a beautiful, safe place for families to exercise and experience Iowa’s natural beauty!
Flood The Run benefit for Matthew 25 and the Salvation Army was a huge success! This fun event attracted 600 participants. Because of the enjoyment and enthusiasm, the numbers are certain to multiply next year. Learn more or donate here: www.crfloodtherun.com
Participating in the second Iowa Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium and continuing the conversations about utilizing teacher expertise to accelerate improvements in Iowa education. Also looking for key opportunities to collaborate in support of our public schools.
Mary Korch, senior at Jefferson High School in CR, addressing the audience with enlightening and candid, personal experiences on the topic, “What Difference Does Great Teaching Make?” Kudos to Mary and the other student panelists, who provided a student perspective on effective teaching.
(Mary is seated left of the podium)
Cedar Rapids Roosevelt Middle School students gain hands-on assistive technology experience with the help of staff from UI College of Education. Pictured here are Jenny Petersen and Kiersten Hensley of the UI Center for Assistive Technology Education and Research. A select group of students worked with Dragon Naturally Speaking, a speech recognition software tool, and Co-Writer, a software tool for writing. Many Iowa students have learning disabilities that cause them to struggle with spelling and writing. The powerful, assistive technology introduced to these students today can greatly increase learning and reduce barriers for students, especially those with disabilities. Learn more about the Center and assistive technology at: http://www.education.uiowa.edu/centers/icater/home
Continue Reading the Statehouse News
To read the rest of my Statehouse News go to: http://iowahouse.org/StatehouseNews/8-13-14
