Senate Journal: Page 57: Tuesday, January 9, 2001

  This brave group of adventurers had to rely on each other in order to
  succeed. For
  four years, Lewis and Clark and their team experienced the absolute wonder
  of
  discovery.  Their explorations included Iowa:  During their epic journey,
  Lewis and
  Clark traveled along Iowa's western border-and even buried one of their own
  in our
  soil.

  Because they found a way to work together toward a common goal, they were
  able
  to open new territories to a young nation.  They opened paths to previously
  uncharted
  territories.  Succeeding generations seized these new opportunities and
  built a nation,
  a strong great nation-an American nation-nothing less than the strongest and
  most
  bountiful nation in history.

  Today, let us commit ourselves to the challenges of transforming to a new
  economy
  and leading it with the spirit of teamwork and dedication to a common goal
  that drove
  Lewis and Clark.  Let us, through our work together here and now, help
  Iowans seize
  the limitless opportunities of the new economy.

  Let us build an Iowa that, with each succeeding generation, will become only
  better
  and stronger.

  There are over 500,000 children going to schools across the state in
  kindergarten
  through twelfth grade.  Each child has their own dream, their own developing
  potential, and their own educational need.  A quality education provided by
  quality
  teachers makes a dream come true, the potential realized and the need met.
  If we are
  to transition to a new economy and lead it, we must start by transforming
  our schools
  and continue the commitment to excellence and high student achievement.

  Two Iowans who already have committed to Iowa's leadership in the new
  economy
  are Marvin Pomerantz and John Forsyth.  Each of these men understands the
  critical
  role that a high-quality education plays in the new economy.  Last year,
  Marvin and
  John worked separately and jointly with educators, administrators, parents,
  school
  board members, and business leaders to develop a framework that will
  significantly
  improve student achievement by enabling Iowa schools to recruit and to
  retain quality
  teachers.

  Their plan is driven by a simple principle:  For our children to achieve
  their very
  best, they must be taught by the very best.

  The single most important factor in a quality education-beyond involved
  parents-
  is a quality teacher.  For years, Iowans have been blessed with many quality
  teachers.
  However, we can no longer take quality teachers for granted.  In a world of
  opportunity, quality comes at a price.

  Today, fewer young people are going into teaching.  Beginning teaching
  salaries are
  thousands of dollars less than the starting salaries of most jobs available
  to high-
  achieving college graduates.

  Many young people who make the choice to teach soon leave the profession.
  In
  Iowa, 28% of our teachers leave the classroom after the first three years
  for better
  opportunities.  We lose 17% of our teachers in the first year alone, and
  that's about
  twice the national average.  School officials are faced with the fact that
  up to 40% of
  Iowa's classroom teachers will be retiring within the next ten years.

© 2001 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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