House Journal: Page 30: Tuesday, January 13, 1998

children than a couple of months ago, with the birth of the
McCaughey septuplets.  The outpouring of love and support that
family is receiving from their church, community and the entire
state is testimony to the caring nature of Iowa's people.
We must now make sure that the McCaughey's children - and all
children in Iowa - get the best education in the world.  Our
schools are good, but not good enough.
Our schools are structured on a model suited for a time that is
past - not one prepared to meet the challenges of the future. 
No other public institution has been more resistant to change;
no public institution needs it more. 
Our education system still looks much like one designed for
pioneers of the Old West and not the pioneers of the Information
Age.  We cannot continue to operate that way.
If you do nothing else this year, do not leave here without
reforming our schools.  The time to act is now.
In my Condition of the State Message last year, I announced the
formation of a citizen's commission to help develop a vision and
road map for education in the 21st century.
Many members of that commission, including Chairman Marvin
Pomerantz, are with us today and I would like to acknowledge
them and thank them for their assistance in assembling a plan to
remake Iowa's public education system.
The vision they presented us with is the right one for Iowa. 
That's because it is based on the best research and just good
common sense.  How do we improve education?
	With better teachers;
	By teaching children earlier and longer; and
	By locally setting standards with accountability for results.
These are the common sense building blocks of a new educational
system that will prepare our state for the 21st century.
Better teachers.
I'll bet each of you can recall at least one teacher who made a
big difference in your life.  I can.  I'll never forget Lura
Sewick, my 8th grade history teacher, and I'll forever be
indebted to her.  We need more Lura Sewicks to influence more
children's lives for the better.
To do that:
-  We must reform the teacher education program to make it truly
a profession.  My program includes rigorous reforms of teacher
preparation and financial incentives for those who attain the
highest level of certification through the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards.
-  We must raise beginning teacher salaries so high achievers
will be attracted to the profession.  It's been eleven years
since we raised the beginning salaries, and
-  We must pay good teachers and administrators more with a
merit pay program and make it easier to get rid of bad teachers.

Iowa General Assembly

Index: House Journal (77th General Assembly: Session 2)

© 1998 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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