New figures from the National Center for Education Statistics show Iowa’s high school graduation rate remains the highest in the nation, at 91 percent. That’s great news!
Iowa families clearly value their education. Educators and parents deserve a lot of credit for ensuring that students show up, pass their courses and graduate on time.
That commitment from students, families, teachers and schools should be rewarded with the best-possible education investment we can provide. Here are a few ways we can build on our successes:
- Ensure every family is able to send their kids to a good preschool that sets them up for lifelong success.
- Keep class sizes small so that students get the personal attention they need to master the material.
- Do more to attract and keep great teachers who will prepare our students to compete globally.
- Make sure students are academically ready to continue their education and training for the career of their choice.
- Expand affordable higher education opportunities, including skills training and apprenticeships for the most in-demand jobs.
What do you think? I’d like to hear your ideas for how we can improve on Iowa’s strengths and overcome our weaknesses to maintain a top-notch education system—from preschool through career training.
Incentives continue to help rural schools thrive
A top priority of state leaders should be to protect rural schools from forced consolidation. Supporting smaller school districts is an important part of our efforts to help revitalize our small towns and rural areas.
In 2001, Iowa implemented a financial incentive program that has been particularly helpful for smaller schools, allowing them to operate more efficiently without having to consolidate multiple schools into one.
With many years of inadequate school funding, participation in the program—which is set to expire in 18 months—has been on the rise.
The Senate Education Committee took a step in the right direction this week by voting to extend financial incentives for schools willing to share personnel and educational opportunities (SF 138).
I am hopeful that the full Iowa Senate and Iowa House will move quickly to approve this important legislation.
Or how about working on constitutional carry or reciprocity. Or recreational marijuana so the state has some revenue (billions a year) to find all these bull program’s. Maybe lighten the welfare load for those of us with jobs. Fix the roads. Or conduct in investigation into mason city city counseling concerning embezzlement and corruption relation to the dumbness event center and hotel/skywalk…… Maybe if this state has a new and interesting industry for our youth and young people they wouldn’t flee the state at the first chance they get….. how about doing something that matters to iowans.
Azz my elder mentor wonce said – University of Iowa/Iowa has a very good couse in basket weaving.
Your right! It was Obama’s NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND government policy – everyone graduates that attends the school – only dropouts do not graduate – some with enough common sense to come in out of the rain an some with NOT>
“The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2001
and was signed into law by President George W. Bush on Jan. 8, 2002.”
Nice try little buckaroo, do some research before you spout off.
And for God’s sake, learn some correct grammar.
“You’re” not “Your”.
Aw look, the grammar NAZI is back. No one gives a shit you snobby dumb ass.
When presented with facts, the right refuses to acknowledge said facts and resorts to name calling. Sad.
She had nothing to do with it.