LANDON: Iowa House Education Reform Bill Now in Joint Committee

On April 10, the Iowa House offered the Senate a compromise proposal in an effort to find resolution on the education reform plan and school state funding.  The plan implements policy changes focused on achievement-driven reforms as well as other changes that enhance public, private and home-school education.  It also allows schools to plan for 2015.  The proposal:

• Keeps intact the entire education reform policy language found in House File 215. 

• Increases supplemental aid (formerly known as allowable growth) by  percent plus an additional onetime payment equivalent to 2 percent for Fiscal Year 2014

• Increases supplemental state aid by 4 percent for Fiscal Year 2015.

This compromise plan offers flexibility for school districts, accountability for parents and protection for taxpayers.  Following is a comparison of the proposed costs of the Education Reform/Supplemental State Aid legislation:

                                                        Fiscal Year 14             Fiscal Year 15

Initial House Proposal                         $87.5 M                     $119.3 M

Initial Senate Proposal                        $135 M                      $305 M

House Compromise Plan                     $144.7 M                    $195 M

House File 215 provides a strong path towards educational excellence.  The center piece of the bill, the “Teacher Leadership Pathways” program, was designed to raise the stature of the teaching profession and provide a more attractive career option for graduates.  The bill infused $145 million into the career pathways over a three year span to help districts promote their best teachers to leadership positions.

The bill provides accountability.  Teachers and administrators will undergo annual evaluations, with student outcomes figured into the discussion.  The evaluations will focus on teacher development, ensuring a stronger teaching force.

House File 215 also affects those outside of the traditional public school classroom.  It provides opportunities for home school parents to teach their children without burdensome regulations and impassive state control.  In addition, it allows private schools to focus on bettering their practices by using accrediting agencies that demand results and share the school’s mission.

In summary, the compromise offered by the House increases Supplemental State aid funding for 2014 and 2015, focuses on achievement driven reforms and funds its commitments to ensure the results Iowans expect in our schools and for our children.