From the Chief Administrator: 2017 Legislative Wrap-Up

Greetings on May Day!

In this note, I am reflecting on the 2017 legislative session and thinking ahead to 2018.  While some gains were made in this session, there is still work to do. Unfinished business includes establishing an aligned assessment to support instructional decision making, sustaining adequate resources for schools and advancing a positive regard for education as a profession. With these thoughts in mind, I'd offer a few suggestions as we look to next year.

First, making a difference through the legislative process is a year-round endeavor. Now would be a great time to take a few minutes to write a short note to those who represent you. A few points that you may want to address include:

• Appreciation for increased PK-12 education funding: The state-supplemental aid amount (1.1%) that was approved for next year may be lower than many of us would have hoped but is still a sharp contrast to the heavy reductions most other educational entities experienced. 
• Appreciation for restoring funding for children with disabilities: The AEA system regained the $3.75 million that was lost last year. This restoration amounts to an approximate 1% increase in special education revenue. 
• Appreciation for increased flexibility: Local schools received options for applying ending fund balances from designated categorical funding streams for use in the general fund or where needed. There are specific guidelines involved, but generally this allows schools increased options for choosing how best to meet local needs.
  

Second, increasing understanding of the work of AEAs and local schools is always important.

Several actions of the 2017 legislature made it clear to me that many elected officials either do not share the belief that education is necessary for an engaged citizenry and/or are unaware of the true accomplishments and challenges of today's educators.

As you gather with friends and neighbors this summer, be bold in working in a story of how your work or that of your colleagues makes a difference. Perhaps it is from expansion of educational opportunity or support in overcoming a learning challenge or efficiency of resource use (the list of possible examples is endless!). Regardless of your job function, you have contributed to quality education in Iowa and there is a need for first-hand awareness of these examples among members of the public.

Third, and perhaps most important, Iowa has a strong education system with dedicated employees who are partnering with families everyday to prepare students for a bright future.

• Iowa still leads the nation in graduation rates (a necessary gateway for future work and career options).
• Iowa's efforts in early literacy are paying off in increased reading proficiency.
• Central Iowa routinely ranks among one of the highest in the nation in terms of quality of life and quality of the workforce (see references from the United Way website). These rankings would not occur without having a quality educational system.
  

In summary, the 2017 legislative session resulted in a few positive supports for education in Iowa and there are important issues to work on in preparation for the 2018 session. If we all do our part, I am confident we can build relationships now that will help sustain educational priorities moving forward.

More info: This newsletter from the Iowa Association of Schools Boards provides a robust summary of the 2017 session and education-related legislation.

With appreciation for your work,
Paula