‘Education’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 8th, 2011
The Iowa House prepares to debate a plan by Republicans to decrease support to k-12 schools instead of providing 2 percent growth for next year.
The allowable growth formula 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.
Zero percent growth for our schools is simply inadequate. It will increase class sizes and force consolidation in rural districts. If Republicans can find $200 million to pay for tax breaks for the biggest corporations in Iowa, we can provide additional support for our schools.
Democrats supported two percent instead of zero percent growth, 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.
Tags: Allowable Growth, Education
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 7th, 2011
High school seniors in Iowa outperformed their peers in reading and mathematics on the National Assessment of Education Progress ( NAEP ) tests, according to a new report released last week by the U.S. Department of Education. Iowa was one of eleven states that volunteered to participate in the first 12th grade pilot program to generate state-level NAEP test results on high school seniors.
Iowa students in the Class of 2009 scored 291 in reading; the average national was 287. Iowa students scored 156 in mathematics; the average national score was 152.
Iowa’s graduation rate is among the top five in the country (CQ Press, 2010). Iowa consistently earns high marks among education experts including a top ten ranking for best education climate by Business Facilities Magazine. Iowa is also one of the smartest states in the nation with its students consistently outperforming their counterparts on national standardized tests.
Additionally, Iowa colleges and universities rank high in several national rankings including the U.S. News & World Report 2010 College Rankings, Kiplinger Magazine’s “Top 100 Public Universities for Value by Quality.” Iowa’s renowned universities are involved in cutting edge research that is shaping tomorrow’s technologies.
Tags: Iowa Education, iowa test scores
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 31st, 2011
Iowa students in the fourth and eighth grades outperformed their peers on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) science test, according to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Education. Iowa was one of forty-seven states or jurisdictions which participated in the NAEP science tests, given to students in 2009.
“Having a strong foundation in the principles of scientific inquiry is a marketable workforce strength,” said Jason Glass, director of the Iowa Department of Education. “Our quality in science education supports the effort to bring much needed jobs to Iowa.”
Iowa fourth grade students had an average score of 157 in science; the national average was 149. Iowa eighth grade students had an average score of 156 in science; the average national score was 149.
“One of the reasons I am excited about the future of education in Iowa is because we have such a strong foundation from which to help every student succeed,” said Jason Glass, director of the Iowa Department of Education. “The people of Iowa have invested in an education system that is making a positive difference for so many children. We are in a good position to move forward with innovations that will help prepare every student for their next step in life.”
In Iowa, approximately 2,800 fourth grade students and 2,700 eighth grade students took the NAEP science test in 2009.
NAEP, more commonly known as the Nation’s Report Card, is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics with the U.S. Department of Education. It is the largest continuing and nationally representative assessment of what students know and can do in subjects such as mathematics and reading.
Tags: Iowa Education Scores
Category Education, Featured, Recent News, Uncategorized |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 26th, 2011
The Iowa Business Council spoke before the Senate Education committee on Monday, to urge lawmakers not eliminate funds for public preschool programs.
Elliott Smith told lawmakers the state has an economic and moral imperative to make sure its youngest citizens are prepared for success. The quality of Iowa’s education system has been a top priority for the Business Council for many years. It’s the graduates of this system from which our labor pool is stocked and replenished,” Smith said.
“Access to quality early childhood education should be available to parents of all Iowa children regardless of socioeconomic status — with no gaps.” According to Smith, state-funded preschool is a selling point when Iowa businesses are trying to lure employees to move here from other states.
Read the rest of the Radio Iowa article: http://www.radioiowa.com/2011/01/25/iowa-business-council-speaks-out-in-favor-of-state-funded-preschool/.
Tags: preschool, Voluntary Preschool
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 20th, 2011
Despite hearing from hundreds of parents, teachers, and community leaders about the value of preschool in the last week, House Republicans voted down efforts on Wednesday to continue Iowa’s voluntary preschool program for 20,000 kids statewide.
“Over the last week, hundreds of Iowans have stood up for Iowa’s preschool initiative but Republicans weren’t listening,” said State Representative Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport. “Preschool is a wise investment for taxpayers, raises student achievement, and strengthens Iowa’s middle class. In tough times, Iowa families and our kids deserved better tonight.”
House Democrats won approval of a plan to save taxpayers an additional $24 million, but were turned back on other efforts to boost student achievement and maintain Iowa’s commitment to good paying jobs.
“We are at a critical time in our economic recovery and now is not the right time to scale back our efforts to help create good-paying jobs,” said State Representative Roger Thomas of Elkader, who is ranking member of the House Economic Growth Committee. “We shouldn’t turn our backs on small businesses or the renewable energy industry because they are essential to growing our economy over the next decade.”
House File 45 was approved on a party line vote and now goes to the Senate for consideration. For more information on the bill, log on to www.iowahouse.org/savepreschool.
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |
