On Monday, October 15th, COMPASS (an organization of Ed.D./Ed.S. students in the College of Education) sponsored a Legislative Forum on Education in Iowa. Senator Jeff Danielson, and Representatives Deborah Berry and Bob Kressig joined graduate students and faculty in an engaging discussion about the future of public education in Iowa. Discussion centered on the question of how Iowans can ensure we maintain our nationally recognized prominence in providing high quality education programs in Iowa’s public schools.
Representative Bob Kressig discussed recent funding initiatives which raised Iowa teachers’ salaries. Previously, Iowa teachers’ compensation ranked forty-first in the nation. The current funding initiative increased this ranking to twenty-fifth nationally. Kressig also noted with concern that skyrocketing tuition in postsecondary education is making a college education much more difficult to afford for many young Iowans. As he aptly pointed out, with the retirement of the “Baby Boom Generation,” Iowa needs to do more to ensure access to postsecondary education for the upcoming generation of Iowa’s workforce.
Representative Deborah Berry stressed the need to invest more attention and resources on economically disadvantaged children and youth. Specifically, she cited the need for increased funding of after school programs to provide safe and productive environments for youngsters during the three o’clock to six o’clock hours when many are on their own and more likely to be involved in risky behaviors. She also raised the troubling fact that Iowa ranks first nationally in suspension and expulsion rates of minority youth. This point led to a thoughtful and engaging discussion about how this situation arose and what can be done to ameliorate it.
Senator Jeff Danielson emphasized the crucial importance of using clear communication when discussing education issues with our legislators. He stated that we have three main challenges in education. The first centers on political and ideological frictions which too often preclude opportunities to reach a constructive consensus about how to resolve educational problems. The second challenge is financial. He urged educators to become more informed about education finance structures in Iowa and recommended that we consider innovative approaches to school funding that might include, for example, grants, foundations, and the involvement of local businesses. Finally, Senator Danielson, pointed to professional challenges facing educators today. Although public education is often maligned in the public forum, the overall successes of our public schools are less often acknowledged.
All three Iowa legislators strongly urged educators to become more involved with the legislative process. Those who wish to influence education policy in Iowa should know their state representatives and cultivate personal relationships via phone, email, and attendance at legislative sessions. They also encouraged educators to know what people on opposing sides of various issues think. As they noted, the fact is that less than one percent of the population interacts with their legislators. Educators have the potential to assert a strong influence on education policy in Iowa, therefore it is important to hear from them regarding educational issues which apply to us all. |
