The House opened hearings on the Governor’s Education reform plan this week. It’s just the first step in hearing from educators, parents, and students to gather input on education reform and build consensus on a plan that can win approval in the House and Senate. A few highlights of the reform plan are below.
On-line Learning
Last year, after the Department of Education allowed two schools to hire a private, out-of-state company to run full-time education programs, there was a heated fight over how to limit their programs. This year, the Governor’s bill expands the states Iowa Learning On-Line system to provide more access to classes for students on a part-time basis. The less controversial provision is estimated by the Department of Education to provide services to 2,500 students.
Teach Iowa Initiative
Other provisions of the bill include a Teach Iowa Initiative that includes a marketing outreach campaign and an on-line job posting system. A Teach Iowa Scholar Fund would provide tuition reimbursement to teachers administered under[ the Department of Education. It would replace a similar program, the Teacher Loan Shortage program, which is currently administered by the College Student Aid Commission.
A teacher training pilot program would give students in teacher prep programs a one-year student teaching experience. Current programs are for one semester. Also, high school students would have the option of taking certain classes and if they score high enough on the ACT, they could receive a diploma with a seal certifying that they are college ready.
Private Schools
The Governor’s plan does not have many requirements for private schools. They are not required to participate in the on-line job posting or the two-tiered graduation diploma system. Also, the main focus of the bill that deals with teacher and administrator evaluations and teacher compensation would not affect private schools.
