Senate Journal: Page 41: Tuesday, January 13, 1998

  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.

  Teach kids earlier and longer.

  By age three, three-fourths of a child's brain is developed.  Properly
  nurtured, that
  development will lead to a productive adult.  Without nurturing, that  lack
  of
  development can result in a juvenile delinquent and an unemployable adult.

Iowa General Assembly

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

© 1998 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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