Iowa Education Board to Focus Reform Efforts

Following last month’s state education summit, Iowa’s state education board aims to establish its reform priorities.

The state Board of Education has voted to focus reform efforts on issues ranging from teacher preparation to tougher student standards, but offered few details on how it would do so, writes Jens Manuel Krogstad at the Des Moines Register.

The goals, developed following last month’s state education summit, were broadly written to allow negotiating room when policy details are hammered out, said board member Charlie Edwards.

“We wanted to establish a common agreement on policy, and get on the same page with the governor’s office, Department of Education, legislature, districts and teachers,” he said.

The board stated support for access to free high-quality preschool to every child in the state. It said last year’s voluntary preschool program, which enrolled more than 21,000 children, will help ensure universal access.

Iowa must “raise the bar” to recruit the best students to rigorous teacher preparation programs, the board said. Teachers in the classroom must receive targeted professional development opportunities, and provide extra help to struggling students.

The board lauded the state for establishing in 2008 of the minimum standards in the Iowa Core, and implementing in 2010 language arts and mathematics standards.

The board said it will continue to work with the Iowa Department of Education to study innovative instruction and online learning models to encourage a statewide focus on innovation.
Parents must also dedicate time at home to learning, in partnership with teachers and schools, the board said.

The board’s mission is:

“To champion excellence for all Iowa students through leadership and service, which will then aid students in becoming productive citizens in a democratic societ and successful participants in a global community.”

The board hopes that the decisions made after the summit will help them further realize these goals.