Gov. Kim Reynolds discussed more proposed reforms she would like to implement for Iowa education during the Condition of the State address on Tuesday evening. Reynolds addressed the mandate that school districts must give their special-education funding to Area Education Agencies (AEAs), even if the district chooses not to utilize their services. Iowa students with disabilities are performing below the national average, ranking 30 or worse on 9 of 12 national assessments, all while Iowa is spending $5,300 more per pupil on special education than the national average. Reynolds says AEAs have grown well beyond their core mission of helping students with disabilities, creating top-heavy organizations with high administrative expenses.
A vital education topic that has continued throughout the years is how reading is the foundation of learning and a key component of every child’s success. Reynolds says children who can’t read by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, yet 35% of third graders in Iowa are not proficient in reading. Reynolds says in partnership with Lexia Learning, Iowa is offering elementary school teachers a free training program on the science of reading.
Reynolds mentions that Iowa is the only state that does not require a competency in early literacy instruction for a teacher licensure, which she says needs to change.
Reynolds addresses the last topic of her education reforms, discussing teacher pay. Reynolds says the success of our kids will always depend on great teachers.
Reynolds hopes to drive transformational change and to do what is right for Iowa children. Reynolds says that the world will see Iowa as a state that orients its educational system to students, parents, and teachers, making Iowa’s future truly bright.
