From Senator Amanda Ragan:
Students and teachers are heading back to Iowa classrooms for the new school year this month. When they do, the education reforms we have approved over the last couple of years will make a big difference in their experience, as schools put their best teachers in leadership roles, and boost science, math and technology programs.
Our investments in student achievement are paying off. Iowa moved up to 13th in the country for education (from 15th last year) in the latest Kids Count data. More youngsters are going to preschool, the percentage of Iowa kids proficient in reading and math is on the rise, and more high school students are graduating on time.
This year, we continued our progress to boost student achievement in Iowa’s K-12 schools by:
• Investing an additional $87 million in educational opportunities at all levels.
• Improving student reading skills, including addressing dyslexia and assisting teachers to increase literacy.
• Helping K-3 students who are falling behind gain strong reading skills through intensive literacy programs.
• Recruiting the next generation of great Iowa teachers by providing additional funding for the Teach Iowa Scholars initiative.
• Supporting a teacher-leadership effort in which Iowa’s most effective educators work with new teachers and mentor those looking to improve their classroom results.
• Extending incentives for school districts that work together to improve opportunities for students.
Educating Iowa’s future workforce is a smart investment when the state budget is in such good shape. State Auditor Mary Mosiman’s recent review of state finances confirmed that the Legislature has put together a sustainable budget based on sound principles. Our approach has given us a healthy surplus, even while we implement major education reforms and other initiatives to grow our middle class.
We are committed to keeping Iowa’s finances in good shape while also expanding educational opportunities, raising student achievement and ensuring our children are prepared for a global, knowledge-based economy.
Shawn Dietz
Franklin County Tea Party co-founder.
Hampton Mayor – claim to fame, wanted to eliminate flouride in the drinking water
“stop this practice of forced medication that is a heinous intrusion on your rights.” -Shawn Dietz
In other words, George Washington didn’t have teeth, why should you?
Posted twitter picture of himself wearing a t-shirt that boasted “Midwest Cracker”.
The Tea Party represents the strong back and weak mind section of the GOP.
I have heard that before, strong back and weak mind but from what I see, the democrats can stare straight into flood waters rushing right at them and say, look at the pretty lights.
Vote Deitz
I would never vote for Ragan. She has lied to me and once was enough. besides, she has been in there way to long as I am a believer in term limits. Time for a change. I don’t know Dietz very well yet but I have heard good things about him.
Thanks Mrs. Ragan, but my family will be supporting Shawn Dietz come this November.
I know Shawn, I’ve worked with Shawn and his word is good. I also know he believes very passionately in the US Constitution, which is something most all of the career politicians seem to have completely forgotten about. Its beyond time for a change, so vote for Dietz come November.
I think both candidates are good people. Shawn has very high character, I believe. I think he would make a great legislator. I also like Mrs. Ragan. I don’t have a doubt that either candidate will serve us well.
So called, “allowed growth” at min. of 6% when inflation is less than half that figure
will be dead in the Senate after Gronstal gets elected Sen. Minority Leader. The annual need for another 6% of public funds into education investment is code for,
“payoff to the teachers union” for all their campaign $$$$$$ to the Democrats. Setup
and fund the next tough contract the local School Bd. will vote for to pass the 6%
back to the union as directed.
I’m not saying Dietz has my endorsement (I know very little about him other than he’s against Abortion and supports the 2nd Amendment), but I do know that I am generally not in favor of politicians who have been in office for decades. A state senator has a lot of power to influence events and I’m not sure this person has worked towards any of the issues I find important. For starters, I’ve not heard a peep about loud tailpipes and the ignoring of State Code 321.436 by law enforcement.
Ultimately though, the final deciding factor is to learn what Shawn Dietz’s position is on loud illegal tailpipes from trucks, cars, and motorcycles, as well as some grain trucks. If he doesn’t care about this issue I wouldn’t vote for him. But if he understands the failure of law enforcement to enforce an Iowa Code designed to protect citizens from unwanted excessive, and preventable noises from the streets, I would vote for him…w/out second thought.
Her only claim for improvement is she spent more money on education. I do not see any data where test scores have improved. If she wants to help education then quit spending more money on it and get back to what worked when Iowa was in the top 3 in the nation. If public schools worked why are so many parents home schooling or going to private schools.
will be hearing a lot from her. up for reelection.