‘Education’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 1st, 2011
The House Education Committee voted to end Iowa’s statewide preschool initiative again last night. House Democrats fought to continue the successful, quality initiative which is both sustainable and saves the state money in the long run. The fight for quality preschool isn’t over, so please sign the Save Iowa Preschool petition.
State Rep. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, on the bill (HSB 145)
“The Republican plan dismantles the statewide voluntary preschool initiative for 20,000 four year olds is another burden on Iowa’s middle class. It will reduce access to both public and private preschools for families while giving parents no guarantee of quality instruction with no certified teacher. With strong support from business leaders, educators, and parents who understand that it raises student achievement and saves the state money in the long run, Republicans clearly are not listening to the people of Iowa.”
Tags: Cindy Winckler, Education Committee, Four Year Old Preschool, House Education Committee, Iowa Preschool, Iowa Preschool Program, preschool petition, Save Iowa Preschool Petition, Save Preschool
Category 2011 Session Information, Education, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 28th, 2011
A preschool demonstration was held at the State Capitol on Saturday, February 26th to help Iowans see a behind-the-scenes look at the education our four year olds are receiving through the voluntary preschool program.
You can read the full Des Moines Register article here.
Have you signed the preschool petition yet? We have almost one thousand signatures but we still need to send a clear message that taking care of our children is essential to building Iowa’s future. Please sign here.
Tags: Four Year Old Preschool, Iowa's voluntary Preschool program, preschool, preschool petition, save iowa preschool, Save Preschool
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 16th, 2011
Please support Iowa’s high quality preschool initiative for 20,000 Iowa four year olds. The preschool initiative is supported by educators, business leaders, and parents because research proves it helps raise student achievement while saving taxpayers money in the long run.
The statewide preschool initiative is sustainable and is a wise investment for our future. The state should not reduce access to public or private preschool and make it more difficult for middle class families. The state must also continue to guarantee quality instruction for children by certified teachers.
Tags: Iowa Preschool, Iowa voluntary Preschool Program, preschool, preschool petition, save iowa preschool
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 14th, 2011
Rep. Nate Willems, ranking member of the House Education Committee responds to Governor Branstad’s Preschool Plan that was released this morning.
“The Governor’s plan ends the state’s high quality preschool initiative for 20,000 Iowa four year olds. It will reduce access to preschool in communities across Iowa and make it more difficult for middle class families.
With no certified teacher, the Governor’s plan gives parents no guarantee of quality instruction for their children. With no reliable statewide program, school districts will also be forced to end partnerships with private preschool providers.”
Read Branstad’s preschool plan here.
Tags: Education Committee, House of Representatives, Iowa Preschool Program, preschool education, Save Preschool
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 9th, 2011
House Republicans passed a zero percent Allowable Growth for Iowa schools instead of providing 2 percent growth offered by Democrats for next year.
Allowable growth sets the amount of state and property tax dollars that funds school districts. The growth is set by the legislature every year to provide a cost of living adjustment to schools.
“For 40 years, the Legislature has never turned its back on public education like this bill is proposing to do so,” said Rep. Nathan Willems of Lisbon, the top-ranking Democrat on the House Education Committee. “For the life of me I do not understand how the majority party can claim that Iowa can afford $700 million in income tax cuts, $200 million in corporate tax cuts, and in the next sentence say that we can’t afford an additional $65 million to properly fund 2 percent allowable growth.” Quoted from the Des Moines Register.
Democrats offered a two percent growth instead of zero percent growth, however the zero percent measure was approved by the Iowa House and now goes to the Senate, which prefers two percent. If zero percent growth becomes law, it would be the first time Iowa has ever provided no growth for our schools.
Read the full Des Moines Register article here.
Tags: Allowable Growth, iowa k-12 education, iowa school funding
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |
