Property taxes, education reform and disabilities services delivery reform continue to be the focus of the legislative session.
Property tax reform….Iowans and local officials expressed deep concern about a Republican property tax plan in the House that would raise taxes on homeowners while reducing property taxes for businesses. While everyone agrees commercial property taxes are too high, Democrats have crafted a bill that provides reduced property taxes for Iowa’s locally-owned main street businesses without raising taxes on homeowners.
Education reform: One of the Governor’s provisions discussed in subcommittee this week was that students would not be admitted to a teacher education program with a grade point average lower than a 3.0. On the surface this sounds good but here are my concerns:
- There is no evidence that a grade point average (GPA) leads to good teachers. Many professionals have told me that they took challenging course work in college to expand their knowledge. These teachers learned a lot by challenging themselves, but were unable to maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- Many districts (Ames included) struggle to recruit minority teachers. Many inner-city schools are underfunded and struggle to recruit the best teachers. It is not uncommon for students who come from these underfunded schools to struggle a little in college. It is still not an indication that they would not be excellent teachers.
- Several of Iowa’s “Teachers of the Year” have reported that they would not have made it into the teacher education programs under this requirement.
- Once teachers enter the workforce, there are several research-based methods to help them be successful. One is a teacher mentor program and one is continuous professional development.
We all know that one of the keys to a successful education is a quality teacher in every classroom. The problem is how do we define ‘quality teacher?’ My research leads me to believe that requiring a 3.0 GPA will not lead to quality teachers.
I won’t support any initiative just because it “sounds good.” It should always be our goal to put great teachers in Iowa classrooms. However, when children are going to school with a toothache because they can’t afford a dentist, or are absent from school repeatedly due to an untreated mental health disorder, even the best teacher cannot perform a miracle. Both a quality teacher and a classroom full of young Iowans who are ready to learn is the key to success in education.
Disabilities services delivery reform …Work continues in a bi-partisan, bicameral effort on disabilities services delivery reform. The bill will be filed next week.
Other news….
- National Guard tuition assistance: Since the session began three weeks ago, we have been pushing to take quick action on a bill to prevent tuition hikes on National Guard members in college this year. The shortage in the National Guard tuition assistance program came about because 3,000 Iowans returned home last year after serving in Afghanistan; many of those returning soldiers went to school to upgrade their skills before re-entering the workforce.
The tuition benefit was promised to Iowa National Guard members when they signed up for duty, so the state has an obligation to fulfill that promise. I am pleased that both the House and Senate have passed this appropriation bill and it is on its way to the Governor for his signature.
- Governor Branstad outlined a plan to find $50 million in efficiencies at the Department of Transportation and redirect it to rebuilding Iowa’s roads and bridges.
- The House approved a bill to require state agencies to produce a jobs impact statement when developing new rules or regulations.
- A bill introduced this week would give the children of police, fire fighters, and other public safety officials who are killed in the line of duty free health care and college tuition.
- A House subcommittee has approved a ban on red light and speeding cameras used in several communities across the state. Local officials say the cameras have reduced crashes and saved lives. Opponents site lack of due process.
Quote of the week…Education is not filling a pail, but the lighting of a fire.–William Butler Yeats
